Transfer news and speculation, 21 August

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Harry Redknapp has re-doubled his efforts to sign the Arsenal left-back Armand Traoré on loan after Portsmouth's opening day defeat to Chelsea. The Pompey manager has targeted Traoré because he feels he has no cover for the 34-year-old Hermann Hreidarsson, who is starting to struggle at the Premier League level. Traoré, 18, has made only three senior appearances for Arsenal but was part of the very young side that went all the way to the Carling Cup final last season. He had hoped to be the understudy to Gaël Clichy this season but Arsène Wenger's attempt to sign Mikaël Silvestre, which looks like it could be completed by the weekend, has severely curtailed Traoré's chances of a first team place. Contracted to the club until 2013, Arsenal would not be prepared to sell Traoré yet and Portsmouth are in no position to fork out a transfer fee. Redknapp has been forced to look at short-term options for his team this season after spending the majority of his budget on the £11m fee for Liverpool's Peter Crouch. He lost out on Nicky Shorey, an early target, because Pompey were unable to match the £3.5m fee and salary package from Aston Villa. Redknapp signed the midfielder Jerome Thomas on loan from Charlton Athletic last week but complained after the 4-0 defeat to Chelsea that he was finding it difficult acquiring players on loan deals so late in the transfer window.

Russians will hold on to Arshavin

The Russian club Zenit St Petersburg have ruled out selling their striker Andrei Arshavin to Tottenham before the transfer window closes. Tottenham had already turned their attentions away from the player who impressed for Russia at Euro 2008, having failed to agree a fee with Zenit for the 27-year-old. Zenit gave Tottenham until Monday this week to meet their demands and have now pulled the plug on the proposed deal. In a statement on their website, they say that because "the uncertainty of the situation does not make it possible for the club to seek out a replacement for Andrei, Zenit consider the question of the transfer of the player to Tottenham closed".

Mooney makes move from Cork City

Reading have completed the signing of striker David Mooney for an undisclosed fee from Irish side Cork City. The 23-year-old has signed a three-year contract after scoring 15 goals in 22 League of Ireland appearances and earning two caps at Republic of Ireland Under-23 level. Director of football Nick Hammond said: "I am very pleased to complete this deal, which gives us five senior strikers and provides the manager with a good array of attacking options."

What the fans are saying

Capello has to play his strongest team from now on in my opinion. There's so little time or opportunities for the players to gel together and we're not in a good position with respect to that anyway, so it's imperative our best 11 get the chance to play together and adopt the Capello style.

Ben91 – forum.football.co.uk

There are almost no candidates for the captaincy. If Hull have a good year, [Dean] Windass might get the nod!

hayhoesabluenose – BBC 606

Oh, sweet Jesus, not Silvestre! He's a calamity looking for a Jane to attach himself to.

Becarefuloutthere – sunderland.footymad.net

Yesterday's completed moves:

Gabor Gyepes (Northampton) to Cardiff City; Undisclosed

Richard Keogh (Bristol City) to Carlisle United; Undisclosed

Jeremy de Magalhaes (unattached) to Barnet; Signed

Flavien Belson (Metz) to Milton Keynes Dons; Loan

Stuart Thurgood (Gillingham) to Grays; Loan