Achille Emana, the Toulouse midfielder, is understood to be discussing a transfer to Newcastle United. Although talks are believed to be at a preliminary stage and Kevin Keegan has made it clear that defensive reinforcements with Premier League experience are his priority, Emana is regarded as a potential replacement for the jailed Joey Barton.

Emana, a 25-year-old Cameroonian who began his career with Valencia, is a fast, box-to-box midfielder who would cost around £5.5m and is also coveted by West Ham, Portsmouth and Sevilla.

Leeds United have scotched reports linking them with a takeover by the Canadian sports firm Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment . A statement on the club's website read: "The club would like to reiterate that the story is completely untrue and no talks have ever taken place."

Southampton have called a halt to talks with potential investors about a takeover of the Championship club. Saints are in desperate need of a financial injection but a statement, from Southampton Leisure Holdings, read: "The company announces that it has terminated offer talks and therefore is not in discussions with any party regarding a potential offer for the
company. Accordingly the company is no longer in an offer period."