Roque Santa Cruz has become City's second signing of the summer, as he sealed his move to Eastlands for a fee of £17m.

The Paraguayan passed a medical, despite some troublesome knee complaints, and links up with former boss Mark Hughes - following a good few months of transfer trauma. He wanted out in January, but has now got his move and, if he can regain his touch, could be a cracking signing for the Eastlands outfit. Beats Kaka anyway...

Michael Owen has told Sky Sports News that he will not be signing a new contract at Newcastle and, given the stick he's been getting over THAT brochure, we're not surprised.

He wants to go to a club either in the Premier League, or abroad... classic. Although anyone with a bet on his imminent move to the Martian Premiership will be sorely disappointed. One of the clubs interested is slightly closer to home. Hull. Probably not what he had in mind.

Sam Allardyce is continuing his bid to turn Blackburn into Bolton. And will start with Kevin Cyril Davis.

£5m could be enough to prise the English forward away from the Reebok, and the Trotters can stand by for yet more bids for their players from the big man. Perhaps even Kevin Nolan might fancy playing at Ewood after his arrival at Newcastle failed to halt their slide.

Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale has played down reports that a deal has been struck with Birmingham City for Roger Johnson; while Wolves are reported to have met Kevin Doyle's £6.5m release clause.

Over in Europe, after all his kicking and screaming, David Trezeguet apparently wants to remain in Turin after all. The Juve striker has been the subject of furious transfer talk for the past few months, but has now said he will 'immerse' himself in the new season. So now he'll probably leave.

Valencia are sure no-one is bidding for David Villa. They have made it quite clear that their prized asset is not going to be leaving the club for a small fee and they're getting as bored as everyone else is about the talk: ''We would like to stop talking about this situation as it is not good for either the player or for our club to discuss it on a daily basis,'' said club spokesman Jordi Bruixola.

And finally, Douglas Costa's agent, Cesar Bottega, does not believe Manchester United will make a bid for the midfielder. Gremio are not going to let him go for peanuts, but United - despite the fact they'll have £80m from the sale of Ronaldo - won't be taken to the cleaners.