As the saga drags on and on, Dimitar Berbatov’s agent Emil Danchev has jetted into London to try and force a move to Manchester United.

Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy has already went on record as saying the Bulgarian star will not be leaving for under £30m.  He has also been quoted as saying:

“I’d rather let Berbatov rot in the reserves than leave for less than 30″

Dimitar has sat out of both of Spurs league games so far this season, citing “lack of focus”.

However, there may be light at the end of the tunnel with Roman Pavlyuchenko widely believed to be about to make the switch to Tottenham. If he signs, Juande Ramos may be far more willing to allow Berbatov make the trip north.

The Russian would be an instant replacement for the Bulgarian, and would be seen as an excellent signing - he is well known in England after scoring twice against England in an international match, plus scoring 3 times for Russia in their Euro 2008 campaign.

Adrian Mutu will now need to pay Chelsea £13,680,000 in damages, FIFA have ordered. This relates to his failed drug test in 2004 in which he has given a 7 month ban for testing positive for cocaine.

Mutu signed for Chelsea from Serie A team Parma in 2003 for over £15m. Less than a year later he’d disgraced himself and was both banned and sacked.

To make matters worse, he was originally fined £9.6m but this has been increased by £4m on appeal. After serving his ban, Mutu again returned to Serie A, playing for Juventus. He was later sold to Fiorentina for 10 million Euros.

It is now unclear exactly what will happen if Mutu refuses to pay - legal action and a further ban appear likely. Mutu has one final chance - he can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Paul Ince has announced that he will offer ex Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler a contract. Fowler left Cardiff last season after a miserable run of injuries. He has been training with Blackburn during pre-season.

Ince said:

“He’s been different class in training especially in the last three of four days. I will sit down with the chairman now and see where we go from there.”

He has taken part in 5 pre season games with Blackburn, failing to score. However, he only started one of the 5.

At this point it is unlikely that Fowler will be signed in time to play against Everton on the opening day of the season.

The ex-Liverpool striker will now look to try and force his way into the Blackburn team to repay the faith shown in him by his old friend Paul Ince.

Spurs could still sign Andrei Arshavin before the transfer window slams shut. They previously canceled negotiations with Zenit St Petersburg, saying they could not reach a mutually agreeable valuation.

Today, Zenit St Petersburg Director of Sport K. Sarsaniya said:

“Zenit have decided to reduce the asking price. Exactly how much I cannot say as the talks were with the president - but there are only small differences left.”

Arshavin had been tipped to move to Barcelona, but as that deal cooled off Juande Ramos made his move to bring one of Euro 2008’s brightest stars to London.

Arshavins’ agent is already publicly on record as saying he fully expects Andrei to join Tottenham before the start of the season.

It seems that all that remains to be seen is whether Dimitar Berbatov will be playing up front with him, as rumours around an impending move to Manchester United continue to circulate.

Rangers have signed Portsmouth attacking midfielder Pedro Mendes, taking the player to Ibrox on a 3 year deal.

Mendes, 29, has played in the English Premiership for 4 years. He has completed a medical and has already agreed personal terms. The deal is believed to be costing the Scottish contenders £3m.
Mendes said:

“It’s such a great club and there is the chance to fight for the championship and win cups. You can’t expect anything but to win things.”

Rangers are bringing in the midfielder at a needed time - club captain Barry Ferguson is out injured for 3 months, and Steve Davis looks to be returning to Fulham after Rangers could not agree a deal to keep the talented youngster long-term.

Mendes should start against Hearts in Rangers first home game in the SPL tommorow.

Ex Manchester City youth goalkeeper Ashley Timms, 22, has pled guilty to “making unwarranted demands with menaces” in a shocking £15,000 sex blackmail scam against a Premiership star, who we have decided not to name.

This player has consistently had rumours surrounding him about his sexual practices…

And this will do nothing to help him.

Judge Gilbart QC has warned Timms that prison is inevitable, but released him on bail till September 5th for sentencing.

Plymouth Argyle keeper Luke McCormick has been suspended by the Championship side as he awaits trial following a fatal motorway accident in June.

Two young boys were killed in a motorway accident caused by McCormick’s dangerous driving.

He is also charged with driving with excess alcohol and will be appearing in court on 8 September for the same.

McCormick will now could not take any part in the club’s pre-season training.

The club said that “McCormick has been suspended in the light of the charges and not will not  be required to attend any pre-season training.”

Argentina midfielder Jonas Gutierrez is reportedly said to be signed by Newcastle for a five year deal. He was sued by his Spanish club Real Mallorca for walking out of them.

Newcastle, however, didn’t reveal the fee paid to him but the city of Manchester is said to have 7 million pounds bid for him earlier this year.

FIFA’s Article 17 allows players under 28, who have served three years of their contract to “buy-out” the remainder of their agreement. The player invoked this agreement and hence is being sued by Mallorca demanding 15 million Euros ($23.68 million).