Sunderland’s ambitious attempt to sign four Tottenham Hotspur players for a combined fee of £23 million foundered yesterday when Younès Kaboul’s agent said that the defender would not move to Wearside “even if there was an earthquake”.

Sunderland were given permission to talk to Kaboul, Steed Malbranque, Pascal Chimbonda and Teemu Tainio after their initial offer was accepted. Kaboul wants to move to Portsmouth and Chimbonda, a fellow defender, would prefer Everton.

Roy Keane, the Sunderland manager, still hopes to persuade Tainio to join the club when he holds talks with the Finland midfield player today and is considering improving their offer for Darren Bent. Sunderland have also signed David Meyler, the midfield player, from Cork City for £180,000.

Decent bets

Blackburn Rovers have turned down offers from Aston Villa and Tottenham for David Bentley. The England winger remains likely to move to White Hart Lane, however, as part of a swap deal for Paul Robinson, with the England goalkeeper expected to replace Brad Friedel, who wants to leave Ewood Park.

Blackburn have also turned down Newcastle United’s £2 million bid for Stephen Warnock. Blackburn have agreed a deal to sign Carlos Villanueva, a 22-year-old forward who will join initially on loan from Audax Italiano, subject to a work permit.

Claude Makelele, the 35-year-old Chelsea midfield player, is expected to have a medical at Paris Saint-Germain today.

Hull City and Sunderland lead the chase for André Bikey, the Reading defender, who is valued at about £3 million.

Portsmouth are in talks with Le Havre over Franck Songo’o, the 21-year-old winger. Lee Cattermole, the midfield player, is expected to complete a £3.5 million move from Middlesbrough to Wigan Athletic.

Dead certs

Scott Carson, the goalkeeper, has signed a four-year deal with West Bromwich Albion after they agreed a £3.25 million deal with Liverpool.

Stoke City completed the signing of Dave Kitson, the forward, for £5.5 million from Reading.

Pablo Osvaldo, the Fiorentina forward, has turned down a move to Tottenham. Norwich City have signed the defenders, Elliot Omozusi, on loan for a season, and Dejan Stefanovic, on a two-year deal, from Fulham.

Long shots

Fulham are considering a move to sign Lucas Neill, the West Ham United defender, who has a year left on his contract, but they are unlikely to offer the 30-year-old Australia international a long-term deal.