EPL Transfer News - Defoe in Doubt?

Roque Santa Cruz, Alan Smith and Stuart Downing are the latest making news in the January soap opera that is the EPL transfer window.  Manchester City have been spurned so far in their pursuit of Roque Santa Cruz.    Mark Hughes stated that Blackburn has turned down a £15 million offer for the striker who is out another month with a knee injury.  It would mark a substantial profit for Blackburn who boughgt Santa Cruz for only £3.5 million last season.

Elsewhere, Alan Smith is miffed that Newcastle is looking to unload him.   Word is that Smith was part of a swap offer with Middlesbrough to bring forward Mido to Newcastle. Smith is currently recovering from an ankle operation and could be ready for play in weeks.  Newcastle is looking to bolster their forwards now that Obafemi Martins will be out with a hernia operation.

Middlesbrough remain adamant that Stuart Downing will not be going to Tottenham, irregardless of how much they offer.   Middlesbrough Chief executive Keith Lamb said: ''We again reiterate that no senior players will be leaving this football club during January. That is the end of the matter."

Despite being introduced at Tottenham this week, Jermain Defoe's transfer is in doubt.  A final deal has yet to be agreed between the Tottenham and Portsmouth and paperwork remains unsigned meaning Defoe belongs to Portsmouth.   Added to that, Premier League rule L19 states: "A Club which transfers or cancels the registration of a Player may not apply to register that Player within a year except with the prior written consent of the Board."  It is less than a year since Defoe was loaned to Portsmouth and technically Tottenham still held his registration until May when the transfer was made permanent.  Only one player ever has been permitted such a move.

Finally, Bolton is bringing in former World Cup champion Denilson for a trial.   The 31 yr old Brazilian is a free agent after being released by Palmeiras this month and has been looking for a European club to reignite his career.