Hoddle to take Keller to Tottenham

Glenn Hoddle is close to ending his search for a new goalkeeper and defender at Tottenham. The former Leicester keeper Kasey Keller is about to sign as back-up for Neil Sullivan at Tottenham, who are set to move in on the Southampton centre back Dean Richards.

Initially, Southampton's chairman Rupert Lowe said Richards, who played under Hoddle at the Dell, was not for sale at any price. But his stance has since changed. "If anyone came in with £10 million (sterling) we would have to consider it," he said. More likely is a deal involving £6 million cash plus the out-of-favour Spurs defender Chris Perry.

Yesterday, Richards' agent Ian Elliott said: "I'm sure Tottenham are interested in signing him. I'm also sure they would do things correctly with an approach to Southampton.

"If Tottenham did come in and a deal was agreed, Dean would be keen to talk to them. But until such a deal takes place, Dean remains very committed to Southampton."

Keller, 31, left Leicester for the Spanish club Rayo Vallecano two years ago but yesterday the US international's agent Colin Poundford said: "After several offers the player has decided to sign for Tottenham. He has had his medical and both sides are happy with the deal." Spurs have also been linked with the Hibernian full back Ulrik Laursen. But Hibs described the reports as "speculation".

West Ham have agreed a £2 million sterling deal for the Atletico Madrid defender Mirsad Hibic, (28), according to Spanish reports.

Ipswich have had a reported £4 million sterling bid for the Derby goalkeeper Mart Poom rejected.

Chelsea are waiting to hear whether the Italian FA reports Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink after his sending-off at Udinese. If they do, he would face a three-match ban.

Marcel Desailly, the Chelsea defender, yesterday said he felt "proud" that Roma are interested in him and added tantalisingly: "There are currently a number of transfers being negotiated, and the transfer market is always open."

Carlton Palmer is close to agreeing a three-month loan to Wolves. Middlesbrough's defender Steve Vickers is thinking over a £500,000 move to Crystal Palace.

Manchester United are likely to escape censure despite Jaap Stam's revelations that Alex Ferguson made an illegal approach to sign the Dutch international from PSV Eindhoven.

Despite their deep irritation, PSV have no plans to ask FIFA, the only body which has the power to launch an inquiry, to investigate Stam's claims that Ferguson met him in Holland before making an official approach to the Dutch club.

"Manchester United have acted against the spirit of football but we won't be taking it any further," said a PSV spokesman.

"There is not much we can do if Ferguson wants to play at James Bond." Stam was bemused by the fuss. "All I was doing was telling the truth," he said. "As far as I'm concerned I have nothing to worry about."

Arsenal's claims that United "tapped up" Patrick Vieira, allegations repeated by the player himself at the weekend, have been denied by United.

But, perhaps tellingly, United have refused to comment about Stam's revelations.

Teenage Czech striker Milan Baros has signed for Liverpool in a deal worth 10 million marks ($4.60 million), news agency CTK reported yesterday.

But Baros, (19), who is set to join the UEFA Cup holders from Czech first division club Banik Ostrava, can only complete the move after securing a British work permit - which could take several months due to Baros' lack of international experience.