SUNDERLAND are said to be ready to raise their bid for Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy to nearer the £9m Rovers are demanding. (Daily Mail)

The Black Cats could also complete a £6m (Daily Mirror) or £8m (Independent) deal for West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand this week.

Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov has pleaded with the club to let him join Manchester United. (Various)

Everton boss David Moyes has not given up on Newcastle's Alan Smith, and is close to agreeing a loan move for Juventus midfielder Tiago. (Daily Mail)

The Toffees have sent a delegation to Portugal to try to clinch the signing of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho. (Daily Mail)

Robbie Fowler has been offered a six-month pay-as-you-play deal by Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Ince. (Various)

West Brom are on the verge of splashing out £7m - £5m on Real Mallorca midfielder Borja Valero and £2m on Charlton's Zheng Zhi. (Various)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is targeting Argentine left-back Juan Pablo Sorin, who has been released by Hamburg. (The Sun)

Redknapp is also reported to be in talks with French side Lens to take Algeria left-back Nadir Belhadj on a season-long loan. (Daily Mirror)

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is set to swoop for Southampton defender Andrew Davies for £1.5m. (The Sun)

Blackburn boss Paul Ince will make a new bid for his old captain at MK Dons, Keith Andrews, this week - and may even bid for their keeper Willie Gueret. (Daily Mirror)

Norwich are rumoured to be trying to sign veteran Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. (Daily Star)

Ipswich have had an offer for defender Moriz Volz accepted by Fulham. (The Sun)

Crystal Palace will try to push through a £600,000 deal for Colchester winger Mark Yeates this week. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal left-back Kieron Gibs, 18, is ready to join Championship Reading on a season-long loan. (The Sun)

Derby are set to offer Lens midfielder Julien Sable, 27, a second chance in England after Blackburn stalled on offering him a contract. (Daily Mirror)

Former Watford striker Gifton Noel-Williams, 28, will end a two-year spell in Spain to join Azerbaijan outfit Neftchi Baku. (Various)

Celtic are closing in on the signing of their former forward Shaun Maloney, from Aston Villa. (Daily Record)