The Screamer: Arsenal face competition for Jaaskelainen

The 32-year-old is out of contract next summer and has refused a new deal.

Arsene Wenger wants to sign him on a free transfer in June but Inter can approach him in January under the Bosman rule.

Birmingham City's power-brokers have called an emergency board meeting today to discuss the club's future following Dave Whelan's approach for Steve Bruce.

Club owners David Sullivan and David Gold, along with managing director Karren Brady, will thrash out a way forward after Wigan's formal offer for their manager was received yesterday.

Birmingham's three main decision-makers will gather at Sullivan's mansion in Essex to discuss Whelan's staggering offer and the potential takeover from Carson Yeung that has upset the equilibrium at St Andrew's.

The fact that the parties have agreed to meet highlights the seriousness of the situation. The board meet formally only at the end of every season, although they are in regular contact.

As revealed in Sportsmail, Whelan is prepared to pay £3million compensation to land Bruce, who is in Dubai for a short holiday.

Despite suggestions that he had walked out on the club yesterday, it appears no decision has been made on whether to allow Wigan to speak to him.

If permission is granted, it seems certain that Bruce will leave. He is unlikely to quit of his own accord due to prohibitive penalties that were inserted into his last contract.

However, the entire situation has been compounded by Yeung's involvement and the proposed £50m takeover of the club which remains in the balance.

Sullivan has given Yeung a deadline of December 20 to come up with the remainder of the cash to buy the club. He has returned to ask for an extension but Sullivan has insisted it will not be granted.

Yet, after purchasing a 29.9per cent stake for £15m,Yeung has to be consulted if the current incumbents want to appoint Bruce's permanent successor, given that his assistant, Eric Black, is also likely to quit.

Veteran Portsmouth defender Linvoy Primus had knee surgery in America yesterday in a bid to prolong his career. Primus, 34, had the operation at the clinic of world-renowned knee specialist Dr Richard Steadman in Colorado.

His previous patients include Michael Owen and Alan Shearer.

Brian Laws has confirmed his commitment to Sheffield Wednesday after being shocked by an approach from Burnley.

Wednesday refused Burnley permission to speak to Laws, who has become an indemand manager a month after being on the brink of the sack.

'I'm shocked and flattered by all of this,' said Laws. 'I haven't forced the issue. I'm not available and there's nothing to discuss.'

Wednesday have expressed anger that the approach was made public as Burnley look for a replacement for Steve Cotterill.

Kidnappers in Honduras have released the 15-year-old brother of Birmingham midfielder Wilson Palacios unharmed.

Edwin Palacios was snatched from the family home in La Ceiba while his parents were bound and locked in a room. Palacios said: 'I'm relieved and so happy.'