Manchester United were said to be moving closer last night to signing Karim Benzema, the France striker, from Lyons.

On the day that United announced the £15.25 million signing of Antonio Valencia, the Ecuador winger, on a four-year contract from Wigan Athletic, Miralem Pjanic, Benzema's team-mate at Lyons, claimed that the player was on the verge of a British-record move to Old Trafford.

“Benzema is nearly gone to Old Trafford,” Pjanic, the midfield player, said. “The English club are willing to pay close to €45 million [about £38 million].”

Decent bets

Barcelona have made Samuel Eto'o a take-it-or-leave-it offer to stay at the Nou Camp as Manchester City await his next move.

But Josep Maria Mesalles, the Cameroon striker's agent, is not convinced that the Spanish and European champions want to keep him. Mesalles believes that by offering Eto'o a new contract almost identical to the one he rejected in April, Barcelona are merely trying to drive the player into City's hands after accepting a £25 million bid last week.

Barcelona have offered Eto'o, who is out of contract in June 2010, a two-year extension with no increase on his existing wages of £100,000 a week - about half the amount that he stands to earn with City. But whether Eto'o is stalling because he has got cold feet about a move, or Barcelona are refusing to bow to his apparent demands for almost half of the transfer fee, City are adamant that they will offer no more money to resolve the situation.

Everton are in talks with Manchester City about re-signing Jô, the Brazil striker, on a season-long loan. But the Merseyside club are opposed to Joleon Lescott, their England defender, leaving as part of any deal.

Tottenham Hotspur have been monitoring Eldin Jakupovic, the Lokomotiv Moscow and Switzerland goalkeeper. Ferrie Bodde, the Swansea City midfield player, failed to return to training on Monday after being the subject of a £2.7million offer from Bolton Wanderers.

West Ham United expect to sign Kelvin Davis, the Southampton goalkeeper. Wolverhampton Wanderers have had an offer for Andrew Surman, the midfield player, accepted by the South Coast club.

Monaco are monitoring Seyi Olofinjana, the Stoke City midfield player. Mark Hudson, the defender, is close to a £1 million move to Cardiff City from Charlton Athletic.

Dead certs

Kevin Doyle has signed a four-year contract with Wolves. The striker moved from Reading for £6.5 million.

Steven N'Zonzi has signed a four-year deal with Blackburn Rovers. The 20-year-old French midfield player cost £400,000 from Amiens.

Burnley have broken their transfer record to sign Steven Fletcher, the Hibernian striker, for £3 million. They have also signed Tyrone Mears, the Derby County defender.

Amaury Bischoff, the Portuguese midfield player, is one of eight players to have been released by Arsenal.