Transfer news and speculation, 24th January

Hull break club record fee to land £5m Bullard from Fulham

(GETTY IMAGES)

Hull City have completed the signing of the midfielder Jimmy Bullard for a club record £5m fee from Fulham. The 30-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract, after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms. Bullard (right) is likely to be officially unveiled today before the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Millwall at the KC Stadium.

The Tigers made their move for Bullard after Bolton pulled out of a potential deal last week and are thought to have beaten off a number of clubs for his signature. Middlesbrough and Arsenal, among others, were also linked to the player after it became apparent he was seeking a move from Craven Cottage.

The deal smashes the previous club record fees of £2.5m paid for defenders Anthony Gardner last summer and Kamil Zayatte yesterday.

Bullard is Hull's third signing of the January transfer window following the arrivals of Kevin Kilbane from Wigan and Manucho on loan from Manchester United. Hull have also completed the permanent signing of Zayatte, 23, from Swiss club Young Boys and agreed a new contract with the left-back Andy Dawson until 2011.

Lovenkrands' trial ends with contract

Newcastle United have completed the signing of former Rangers forward Peter Lovenkrands until the end of the season. The 28-year-old Danish international, who left German club Schalke 04 earlier this month after his contract was terminated by mutual consent, has been snapped up after a successful two-week trial on Tyneside. Lovenkrands, who will wear the No 24 shirt, could make his debut in Wednesday's Premier League game at Manchester City. The winger said: "I'm delighted. I now just can't wait for my debut at Man City next week."

Bruce pleased with Mido loan signing

Wigan Athletic have sealed the signing of the Egypt striker Mido from Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season. With Emile Heskey moving to Aston Villa, the Wigan manager Steve Bruce wasted no time in seeking replacement firepower. "Mido brings vast experience to the table," Bruce said. "He has a good Premier League pedigree. He is still a relatively young man with potentially his best years ahead of him." Boro have signed Marlon King on loan from Wigan. King had been on loan at Hull City but fell out with the manager Phil Brown.

McAnuff turns down Charlton's advances

The winger Jobi McAnuff has turned down a move to Championship rivals Charlton Athletic. The Hornets are keen to reduce their wage bill and last week allowed Leigh Bromby to rejoin Sheffield United on loan. But manager Brendan Rodgers said: "Clubs at this time are looking to players. But Jobi is happy where he is at the moment. Unless something suits him and the club, then he won't be going."

Wilkins adamant Drogba will remain at Chelsea

The assistant coach Ray Wilkins insists the striker Didier Drogba will not be sold in the January transfer window. Drogba, back in the Chelsea squad for today's FA Cup tie against Ipswich, has been linked with a move to Manchester City. But, Wilkins says, the Ivorian striker is not for sale. "We haven't received anything from Manchester City," Wilkins said. "He's a massive part of our squad and he won't be going anywhere."

Rumour Mill: Tales from the web

Manchester City appear to be winning the race to sign struggling Liverpool forward Robbie Keane, offering £20m, £5m more than the Irishman's former side Spurs. ( www.football-rumours.co.uk)

The defenders Glen Johnson, Gareth Bale, Brede Hangeland and the Dutch international midfielder Rafael van der Vaart are the latest stellar names linked with summer moves to Liverpool. ( www.football-rumours.co.uk)

The former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri will raid his ex-employers and help Florent Malouda end his struggles by moving for the Frenchmen, ahead of the likely retirement of Pavel Nedved this summer. ( www.goal.com)

...or maybe he will make a move for Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt instead. (BBC Sport)

Celtic's Bobo Baldé will make the short move south to Newcastle when his contract expires in the summer (The Herald)