Fernandes set for Everton

Everton have confirmed that Manuel Fernandes will arrive on Merseyside today to discuss the prospect of re-joining the club on loan until the end of the season.

The Valencia midfielder spent the second half of last season at Goodison and is poised to return on loan until the end of the current campaign, subject to the 21-year-old passing a medical.

Fernandes signed for Valencia in the summer from Benfica, having spent last term on loan at first Portsmouth and then Everton. The Portugal international is returning to Merseyside to discuss a loan move after being limited to first-team outings at the Spanish outfit.

He made 11 appearances for Everton last term, scoring twice including one against Manchester United at Goodison.

Bolton manager Gary Megson has confirmed he hopes to sign Celtic defender Bobo Balde. The Guinea international has recently returned to favour at Celtic Park after a year on the sidelines.

Balde (32) will play for his country at the upcoming African Cup of Nations but Megson confirmed he wants the centre-back to move to the Reebok Stadium. Megson said: "We have been talking to Celtic about trying to come up with a fee where we can talk to Bobo but we're not there just yet."

Robbie Savage yesterday completed his move from Blackburn to Premier League rivals Derby for a fee of €2 million.

The 33-year-old Wales midfielder has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Rams that will take him to the summer of 2010.

Savage is likely to make his debut against Derby manager Paul Jewell's former side Wigan on Saturday.

Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy (31) has agreed a contract extension with Real Madrid, tying him to the Primera Liga champions until the end of the 2009-10 season.

In his first season at the Bernabeu, Van Nistelrooy scored 25 league goals in 37 matches, a feat that helped Real win the Primera Liga title and saw him finish as the leading goalscorer in the division.

Tottenham have renewed their interest in Stewart Downing and are leading the chase for the Middlesbrough winger. The England international looks set to leave The Riverside, after Middlesbrough decided it was time to part company with one of their most prized assets

Tottenham, meanwhile, have officially ended their pursuit of Rangers and Scotland full-back Alan Hutton. The north London club had been looking at the 23-year-old but it was reported that the player rejected them last week.

A Spurs spokesman said: "We have made it clear that we have no further interest in Alan Hutton."

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has given want-away striker Fred permission to leave after the Brazil international finally returned following the winter break. Middlesbrough, Manchester City, Tottenham and West Ham have all been linked with the 24-year-old.

Lyon's rising star Karim Benzema has also revealed he would relish a move and Manchester United would fit the bill.

Brazilian club Flamengo insist they could still sign Ronaldo - but not until July. The 31-year-old, who is tied to AC Milan until the summer, had been widely linked with a move to Flamengo during the January transfer window.

This now looks unlikely to happen, but vice-president Kleber Leite claims he is in talks with the player's agent about signing a pre-contract agreement.