Transfer round-up: Bolton close to sealing deals for £15m Veloso and Larsson

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Bolton and West Ham have approached Henrik Larsson about a Premier League return. Larsson, 37, is a free agent and Bolton manager Gary Megson and West Ham's Gianfranco Zola have enquired about him.

Larsson, who hit 173 goals in seven seasons at Celtic, has pencilled in contract talks with Helsingborg the Swedish league resumes in March but could still move to England on a short-term deal as he did when playing for Manchester United in 2007. Larsson's agent Rob Jansen confirmed: "Premier League clubs are interested in Henrik but we'll negotiate a contract with Helsingborg."

Bolton are also on the verge of signing Miguel Veloso for a club record £15 million fee, sources close to the talks confirmed last night. Wanderers spent yesterday ironing out the details with Sporting Lisbon. Megson, whose first offer of £12m was rejected, raised it to £15m. A source said: "There are talks between Sporting and Bolton over finding a solution and the deal will perhaps be done by tomorrow."

The move will almost double Bolton's £8m transfer record, paid for Johan Elmander last summer, but he needs to move fast as Manchester City and Newcastle are also interested. Speaking of the Magpies, no more sleepless nights for the midfielder Charles N'Zogbia who is on his way to Wigan after the clubs agreed a fee. But "there is still a bit to do to get over the line," admitted the Wigan manager, Steve Bruce.

In the Championship yesterday, leaders Wolves ended a run of five matches without a win when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, his 50th career League goal, Andy Keogh and Sam Vokes scored in the 3-1 defeat of Watford at Molineux. Wolves were watched by the Hearts captain, 24-year-old defender Christophe Berra, who will join Mick McCarthy's squad for £2.3m.

Second-placed Reading were held to a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers while Kevin Phillips' 92nd-minute header earned Birmingham City, third, a 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday.

Elsewhere in the play-off places, Paul Parry and Jay Bothroyd scored as Cardiff City's good form continued with a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, while Preston North End, sixth, and fifth-placed Sheffield United put on a drab 0-0 draw.

Substitute Steve Thompson scored both goals as Burnley came from behind at Turf Moor to end a run of five League defeats with a 2-1 win over bottom club Charlton Athletic. Swansea City were held 2-2 at Southampton, Marek Saganowski scoring both Saints goals. Saints stay in the bottom three, but goals by Rob Hulse and Kris Commons saw Derby County beat Coventry City 2-1 to move out of the danger zone after a first win under Nigel Clough. "A terrific result but it is important to stress that it is only a very small step forward," Clough said. The Rams, who signed Motherwell's 25-year-old striker Chris Porter for £400,000, have loaned midfielder Giles Barnes to Fulham for the rest of the season. Ipswich and Plymouth Argyle drew 0-0, Bristol City beat Barnsley 2-0, and Blackpool had goalkeeper Paul Rachubka sent off in the third minute at Selhurst Park, but the 10 men defied Crystal Palace, and DJ Campbell's 41st-minute penalty earned the Seasiders all three points.