TRANSFER COUNTDOWN

Liverpool wants to sign Spanish fullback Alvaro Arbeloa for 2.6 million pounds from Deportivo La Coruna, Malaga midfielder Francisco Duran and West Ham's Javier Mascherano before the deadline for player trades at midnight U.K. time tonight, the Mirror said.

Everton is hoping Manuel Fernandes will arrive on loan from Benfica today, the Times reported.

Portsmouth is set to agree to a club record 8 million-pound fee for Udinese's Sulley Muntari, the Mirror said. The Ghanaian will remain at the Italian team until the end of the season, the paper said.

Portsmouth coach Harry Redknapp is also trying to complete the 3 million-pound transfer of Nigeria striker Chinedu Ogbuke from Norway's Lyn Oslo, the same paper said.

Watford is chasing Monaco striker Mohammed Kallon, the Daily Express said. The 27-year-old from Sierra Leone, who was banned for six months in 2003 for taking nandrolone, would cost 700,000 pounds, it said.

Manchester City wants to buy Fulham striker Collins John, the Daily Mail said. Monaco and Racing Santander are also chasing the player, the paper added. John rejected a move to Watford this month after his club agreed to a 3.25 million-pound fee for the Dutch under-21 player, the paper said.

Defender Michael Ball will probably join Manchester City from PSV Eindhoven on loan today, the Mail said. City is also in talks with West Ham about acquiring its defender Paul Konchesky and his teammates Matthew Etherington and Harewood, it said.

Luton rejected a 3 million-pound bid from Reading for defender Leon Barnett, the Mail reported.