CARDIFF FINALLY PAY £7M CHUNK OF SALA’S FEE

CARDIFF have finally paid Nantes the first instalment of the £15m transfer fee for Emiliano Sala.

The Argentine striker died in a plane crash in January 2019 as he was travelling from France to join

Cardiff. A threewindow embargo was imposed by FIFA because Cardiff refused to pay the first part of the fee. Cardiff expect that the payment of around £7m, which includes interest, will prompt FIFA to lift the embargo.

■ WOLVES have revived their bid for WEST HAM’S Craig Dawson. The 32-year-old defender (below) wants to return to the Midlands to be closer to his family but a £5.25m move to Wolves collapsed in September. West Ham have made an offer for Sevilla forward Youssef En-Nesyri but he is reluctant to leave Spain.

■ MANCHESTER CITY left back Josh Wilson-Esbrand, 20, has joined COVENTRY on loan for the season.

■ EVERTON have asked about Villarreal forward Arnaut Danjuma. The 25-year-old has been made available for loan and is attracting interest from a number of clubs.

■ NOTTINGHAM FOREST’S approach for Montpellier defender Maxime Esteve, 20, has been rebuffed. Forest are still in talks with Palmeiras over Danilo, though he also has late interest from Monaco.

■ BOURNEMOUTH have opened talks with Lorient for winger Dango Ouattara, 20.

■ ANDY CARROLL has signed a new contract with Reading until the end of next season. His previous deal was due to expire this weekend.

■ ALEX MORENO has arrived for his medical at Aston Villa ahead of completing a £12m move from Real Betis.