Latest Transfer Update at 26-05-11

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Miroslav Klose - won't be joining Norwich.
LAMBERT NOT KLOSE TO SIGNING

Norwich manager Paul Lambert insists he will not be making a move to sign Germany striker Miroslav Klose this summer.
Lambert is on the look-out for proven top-class players to add to his squad and Klose is available on a free transfer after stalling over a new contract offer from Bayern Munich, who have offered him a one-year deal.
Reports had suggested that Lambert, a former Borussia Dortmund player, was using his links to Germany to try to land the 32-year-old but the Scot admitted on Thursday that this was highly unlikely.
"The lad's 30-odd now, he's played in front of 80,000 people," Lambert told BBC Radio Scotland.
"He isn't going to come to Norwich and put his shoulder to the wheel, that's me being totally honest."
Lambert, who signed a new and improved contract at Carrow Road on Wednesday, thinks he needs seven new additions to make sure the Canaries' return to the Barclays Premier League is not a brief one.
"I think we're going to need about seven, which is a big turnover, but we did it last year, going in with seven or so new lads and they adapted to it," he said.
"There's ones I've identified already to the club and it's up to us to try and persuade them to come."

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Friedel - linked with Spurs and Liverpool.
CLUBS SHOW INTEREST IN FRIEDEL

Liverpool are facing competition from Tottenham in the bid to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel, Press Association Sport understands.
Friedel has emerged as a target for Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who is looking for a new goalkeeper after the up and down form of Heurelho Gomes last season.
It is a difficult decision for the 39-year-old Friedel, who is now out of contract at Villa although they are also keen to retain his services.
Friedel is only likely to be offered a one-year deal by Redknapp, who will seek a long term replacement for Gomes, but there is the lure of being first choice.
He is keen to add to his all-time record of 275 successive appearances in the Barclays Premier League.
Liverpool are offering a two-year contract - and a coaching role - but Friedel, who lives in Cheshire, will only be number two to Pepe Reina.
West Brom are also interested but they are well down the pecking order with Friedel.
Meanwhile, Villa winger and player of the year Stewart Downing is refusing to commit to a new contract with the midlands club.
Villa caretaker boss Gary McAllister intimated that Villa would be opening talks with Downing over signing an improved and extended deal.
But Downing, who has two years remaining of his current contract, has indicated that will not be happening in the foreseeable future.
The former Middlesbrough player told the Northern Echo: "I know the club are keen for me to extend my contract as I only have two years left on my deal.
"My agent (Struan Marshall) had a recent meeting with our chief executive (Paul Faulkner).
"However, I am 26, and at a major crossroads in my career, so I won't be committing to a new deal at the moment."

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Houllier - missed the end of the season.
VILLA WAITING FOR HOULLIER TESTS

Aston Villa director General Krulak expects an imminent decision on manager Gerard Houllier's future but insists his health is of paramount importance.
Houllier continues to recuperate after missing the final month of the campaign with a heart problem.
Villa indicated earlier in the week they are waiting the results of tests - expected after the weekend - before any final decision is made.
Krulak echoed those sentiments on Wednesday night and said: "The manager decision will be made in a timely manner.
"Of course we need to hear what the doctors have to say. Our concerns are obviously over the health of our manager.
"His health is something we should all be concerned about. We all want him healthy."
Villa caretaker boss Gary McAllister has constantly intimated he expects Houllier to return to his post providing the test results are positive.
Club owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner can also now focus fully on the managerial situation after Houllier's predecessor, Martin O'Neill, settled his dispute with Villa.
The matter was resolved on Monday during an FA Premier League Managers' arbitration tribunal.
Krulak admits he has mixed emotions over the 2010/11 season which saw Villa recover from a relegation battle to finish ninth in the Barclays Premier League.
He said: "It was a great end to the season. At the same time, reality also stares us in the face.
"We ended well but the season remains one of widely varying emotions. I confess to being happy it is behind us."

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Gordon - will not do another pre-season at Sunderland.
BRUCE: NO GORDON TALKS IMMINENT

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has confirmed that the club are not about to open contract talks with Craig Gordon.
The 28-year-old Scotland international is out of contract next year, having arrived in 2007 on a five-year deal from Hearts.
But Gordon has seen injuries curtail his appearances and he played just 15 games for the Black Cats this season.
He is currently out with a knee tendon problem, which will mean he misses pre-season and Bruce admits he cannot do much in that situation.
"We can't go into negotiations now with someone who has had a serious knee operation," said Bruce.
"That is the way football is and I think he understands. He is not going to do pre-season again this summer.
"The lesson I have learned is I can't take the risk. I have got to find another goalkeeper. I need to try and bring in someone else.
"Craig has to get back fit and give us the problem then."
On the back of a question mark over Gordon's future, Sunderland are being very strongly linked with Keiren Westwood.
The Republic of Ireland international is out of contract at Championship Coventry and is available on a Bosman transfer.

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Downing - no new deal at the moment.
DOWNING WILL NOT COMMIT TO VILLA

Aston Villa star Stewart Downing has confirmed that he will not be committing to a new contract "at the moment".
The England winger enjoyed an excellent campaign for Villa, winning their Player of the Year award.
His form has seen him recalled to the national team set-up, whilst his appearances have caught the eye of a number of clubs.
It was revealed earlier this month that Villa want to make him the highest paid player at the club, but Liverpool and Arsenal are both understood to be keen.
Downing has now confirmed talks have taken place but he is not about to sign a new deal, with two years still remaining on his current contract.
"I know the club are keen for me to extend my contract as I only have two years left on my deal and that my agent had a recent meeting with our chief executive (Paul Faulkner)," Downing confirmed.
"However, I am 26 and at a major crossroads in my career so I won't be committing to a new deal at the moment."
Downing joined Villa in 2009, but he was still recovering from a broken foot so this season has been his first full campaign for the club.
Villa now look to have a fight to hold on to Downing, which will be a huge blow, especially with Ashley Young edging towards the exit door at Villa Park.
Downing further underlined that he could be looking elsewhere when he revealed that he is yearning to play in the Champions League.
"I want to keep playing and enjoying my football," Downing told the Northern Echo.
"When I was injured that made me realise what it can be like to be out for such a long time. It hurt. The most important thing is to play football, but I do want to play in the Champions League at some point.
"The most important thing for me, though, is to stay fit and then the rewards will come with that, hopefully. I have got back into the England squad, I have to make sure I stay there.
"It was horrible to miss the World Cup last year, but I was not the only one. Looking back it was probably because I was injured for much of that season that I never made it."

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Briatore - Warnock is 100% staying.
BRIATORE BACKING FOR WARNOCK

QPR co-owner Flavio Briatore insists the club has complete trust in manager Neil Warnock to take the club forward and compete in the transfer market this summer.
Carlo Ancelotti is the latest big-name Italian to be linked to the Loftus Road club as they prepare for life in the Barclays Premier League next season following his sacking as Chelsea manager on Sunday.
That same day, fellow co-owner Bernie Ecclestone had confirmed to Press Association Sport that Warnock "is staying - 100%," adding: "We don't want to get rid of him."
Now Briatore has voiced his support for Warnock, claiming funds will be made available to allow him to strengthen the squad on their return to the top flight for the first time in 15 years.
Briatore was speaking in Monaco on a rare return to the Formula One paddock since a universal ban from actively being involved in motor sport through to 2013 was imposed following his role in the Renault 'crash-gate' saga.
"The aim is to make sure next season we are competitive, to keep all the good players we have in the squad at the moment," said Briatore.
"The coach now is looking to set up a fantastic club for next year.
"As for players, this is the coach's decision. We completely trust Neil, and we will try and help him put together the best squad for us to be competitive in the Premier League.
"Not for one minute do we have doubts about Neil. Zero."
Rangers, however, were rocked last night by more boardroom unrest as Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of the third co-owner in Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, quit as vice-chairman.
Bhatia cited Ishan Saksena's recent removal as chairman and the decision to massively increase ticket prices next year as the reasons for his departure.
Bhatia has, however, confirmed a board representative will be appointed to monitor the Mittal family's investment in the club following a recent failed takeover.
Briatore and F1 supremo Ecclestone combined own the majority 70% holding, with the latter holding the greater share after the former passed on his stake for nothing, albeit with the proviso the shares could be returned at any time.
Briatore has insisted neither he nor Ecclestone intend to sell, nor does he have any great desire to take a more hands-on role again.
"Forget about selling. Bernie and I own 70% of the club, this is what we have," added Briatore.
"We go ahead, like we have from day one when 70% of the money was put in by myself and Bernie.
"As for getting more involved, absolutely not.
"The men involved right now are the coach (Warnock) and (chairman) Gianni Paladini. Nothing has changed. I don't want to be involved at all."
Nor does Briatore have any inclination at present of returning to F1, a sport he left in disgrace in September 2009.
In his former role as team principal of Renault, it was discovered Briatore ordered former driver Nelson Piquet Jr to deliberately crash his car.
Although 19 months away from F1, Briatore said: "Formula One is in a great situation right now.
"It is a great sport, and I'd love to be a part of it because I've good friends here.
"But at this moment I don't have any plans to come back at all. It is much easier to stay away and watch it on the television.
"This year we have had fantastic races which I am enjoying very much. It's super."