Reading Shun Shorey Approach

Reading have confirmed they have rejected a £4m offer from West Ham for defender Nicky Shorey. Shorey recently made his debut for England in a friendly with Brazil and Reading manager Steve Coppell described the offer as "derisory".

"I cannot deny there was a written offer made, "said Coppell. "Given the price of players today we thought it was nigh on a derisory offer. We turned it down immediately and we have had no contact since." One man who is on his way out of the Madejski Stadium, though, is defender Sam Sodje, who has agreed to spend the rest of the season on loan at Charlton.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is hoping to bring in another striker before the transfer window closes - with Monaco's Mohammed Kallon his preferred choice.

Kallon was spotted leaving St Andrew's after watching Birmingham's Carling Cup victory over Hereford 2-1 on Tuesday night. It is believed the Sierra Leone international is available for an initial loan transfer with a view to a permanent deal. "If we could find a striker, we are always looking for a striker," said Birmingham manager Steve Bruce. "Let's wait and see what develops."

Bruce is also on the lookout for a midfielder with Atletico Madrid midfielder Peter Luccin his preferred choice. However, Bruce admitted there had been a "complication" in a proposed £2m transfer. If that falls through, Bruce is said to be considering Marseille's attacking midfielder Modeste N'Bami. "Everyone knows the kind of midfield player we are looking for," added Bruce. "We will keep trying to bring someone in by Friday."

Sparta Rotterdam striker Rachid Bouaouzan claims to have agreed personal terms with Wigan and is now waiting for the clubs to negotiate a fee. "I have already agreed personal terms with the club," he said. "But we have to wait for Sparta to turn all the lights to green. And that will happen when the two clubs agree on the transfer fee."

Bouaouzan has not played in Sparta's opening two games of the Eredivisie season after falling out with new coach Gert Aandewiel. He has made 58 top-flight appearances for Sparta, scoring three goals.