YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON SPURS
With £55m-odd transfer fees expected to come in from the sales of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, all of which will apparently go into Juande Ramos' transfer kitty, the London side intend to both replace the duo and fill that troublesome hole in defensive midfield.

Only joking! What that last sentence should have read is, of course, the London side intend to both replace the duo...and sign more attacking midfielders. Hurrah!

Strikers first. 'First on Ramos' wanted list is Real Zaragoza striker Diego Milito, a 29-year-old Argentine international recommended by assistant boss Gustavo Poyet,' says The Sun, as if Ramos won't have bothered watching Milito in Spain.

'Milito scored 15 goals last season and is seen as the perfect replacement for Berbatov - despite Anfield boss Rafa Benitez claiming he is not quick enough for the Premier League.'

Milito is available on the, well, relatively cheap after Zaragoza's relegation, and will set Spurs back £10m.

And his partner in attack will be Darren Bent. No, of course it won't, we're just joking again! 'Ramos plans to team him up with Roman Pavlyuchenko, the man who scored both of Russia's goals when they beat England in a Euro 2008 qualifier last October,' The Sun continues.

Spartak Moscow are believed to have turned down £10m for the striker, but with Spurs' new big pile of extra cash, a deal is expected to be done at around £15m.

Spurs will also apparently match Blackburn's £17m for David Bentley and just pay the money - around £15m - for Sevilla's Diego Capel. Their initial bid, says The Sun, 'included the proviso the Spaniards dropped their £3m compensation claim for Ramos.'


TALKING OF ROBBIE KEANE
Unsurprisingly, Liverpool's players have started talking about one of their transfer targets.

"Robbie is a great player. He's sharp around the box and is a great finisher," says Jermaine Pennant of Keane.

"With Torres up front as well, it will be a great partnership. They could be as good as anything in the Premier League."

Earlier in the summer, Steven Gerrard announced to the press that he was "desperate" for Liverpool to sign Gareth Barry...a deal that could finally go through this week for £16m plus Steve Finnan.


AND ALSO LEAVING SPURS...
The Times is still predicting that Steed Malbranque, Pascal Chimbonda, Younes Kaboul and Teemu Tainio could all find themselves on the way to Sunderland for something over £20m.


INS AND OUTS AT CHELSEA
Peter Kenyon saying a deal for Kaka is unlikely has reopened the Robinho speculation, with The Sun reporting that the Brazilian has told Real Madrid he wants to head for Stamford Bridge.

Going the other way (to Spain, if not to Real Madrid) could be Didier Drogba. He was left out of Chelsea's pre-season tour of China, and the Daily Express thinks Barcelona are ready to offer £22m for his signature.

However, as you can see here, we're not convinced that one's going to happen at all, with Scolari keen to keep the moody Ivorian.

Claude Makelele, though, is on his way to Paris St-Germain.


FULHAM WANT AJ BACK IN LONDON
Fulham are ready to take Everton's Andy Johnson back to the capital - and pay £10.5million to do so.

The Sun thinks a deal for the striker will be concluded this week, insisting 'The Cottagers are close to finalising a deal with the Toffees for the Goodison favourite.'

'Johnson, 27, has been linked with big-money moves to Wigan and West Ham and told pals he would prefer a move back to London.

'Now he is set to become the second striker Fulham have signed in a week. Bobby Zamora joined from the Hammers in a £7m joint deal with defender John Pantsil.'

Everton are themselves ready to start spending. "We must get busy," said David Moyes after seeing his side lose 4-2 to Cambridge. "Numbers are short and we have injuries."

If you believe the Daily Express, that will take the form of an £18m bid for Portgual midfielder Joao Moutinho, as well as moves for five other players.


HE'S BRAD, HE'S BRAD, YOU KNOW IT...
Brad Friedel is definitely on his way out of Ewood Park - the only question is whether he ends up in Manchester or Birmingham.

'Manchester City will slug it out this week with Aston Villa in a two-way battle to sign Blackburn's American goalkeeper Brad Friedel,' says the Daily Star.

'And that is despite the Ewood Park club breaking the bank in a desperate bid to hold on to their long-established No.1, who has served them loyally for eight years.'

Blackburn have apparently offered Friedel £50,000 a week to sign a new deal, but the goalkeeper has turned the deal down and asked permission to speak to both chasing clubs, who will match or top that wage.

'Villa begin the week as clear favourites, even though Friedel would love to link up with his old Blackburn boss Mark Hughes at City,' continues the paper.

'Villa supremo Randy Lerner is a fellow American and owns Cleveland Browns. Friedel has set up a football academy in Cleveland and already has strong links with Lerner.'

At Villa Park Friedel would also have the chance to act as tutor to Brad Guzan, the USA's hottest young goalkeeping property, who will complete a move to Villa if his work permit is approved.

Meanwhile, Villa are back on the trail of James Milner, according to the Dailt Telegraph. Newcastle have said they will not sell the winger but the papers aren't convinced they'll turn down a big bid.


SWP WORTH SEVEN?
Not seven million - seven players.

Harry Redknapp, says the Daily Telegraph, 'is reportedly willing to let Sean Davis, Noe Pamarot, Martin Cranie, Richard Hughes, Djimi Traore, Lauren and David Nugent leave the club to finance any deal.'

"You would like to have him for sure, but he's good money and at the moment we haven't got that. We need to find the money if we're going to finance a deal," said 'Arry.


AND THE REST
Michael Essien has reportedly agreed a new £20million five-year deal to stay at Chelsea...Leeds are set to make a £100,000 bid for Hull striker Dean Windass...Birmingham will call off their £575,000 move for Derby's Stephen Pearson because he has a groin injury...Liverpool are set to sign teenage striker David Ngog from Paris St Germain...Hull are poised to sign Wigan striker Marlon King for £3million...Hull have agreed a fee with Borussia Dortmund for their midfielder Delron Buckley...Bordeaux have told Celtic they are wasting their time with any move for striker Fernando Cavenaghi.

A lot going on at spurs this summer , also derby have bought 18 players so far

FRIEDEL TO VILLA, ROBINSON TO BLACKBURN, BENTLEY TO SPURS
Paul Robinson is close to being offered a career lifeline at Blackburn Rovers after the Ewood Park outfit agreed to sell Brad Friedel.

The club announced in a short statement last night that they had agreed to sell the American to an unnamed Premiership outfit. The club is believed to be Aston Villa, with the Midlanders set to pay £2.5m for Friedel.

Blackburn stipulated that the departure of Friedel was dependent on the recruitment of his replacement and that is set to signal Robinson's exit from White Hart Lane. That, in turn, could hasten the departure of David Bentley from Ewood Park and his return to North London.

'Negotiations are under way as to how the package can be agreed to the satisfaction of all parties, particularly as Arsenal are believed to have a sell-on clause for their former player. Tottenham had an initial bid, thought to be around £9m, rejected for the winger last week and are aware that Blackburn want around double that figure for the 23-year-old England international', reports The Independent.


SPURS TO SELL BERBA ON THE CHEAP TO ANYONE BUT UNITED
Relations between Tottenham and Manchester United have reportedly deteriorated to the extent that the North London club are willing to sell Dimi Berbatov on the cheap to either AC Milan or Barcelona.

Spurs have reported United to the Premier League over their pursuit of the Bulgarian striker, with chairman Daniel Levy sparking a war of words with Sir Alex Ferguson by branding the Scot an "unbelievable hypocrite", and are reputedly now willing to sell Berbatov to his European suitors for a cut-price fee of £25m. United are believed to have been told that Berbatov would cost £30m.

According to The Sun, Samuel Eto'o will be the pivotal figure behind any deal. 'The Catalan giants will only move for Berbatov, 27, if they can persuade the Cameroon striker to leave,' the newspaper reports. 'Milan are also waiting to find out if they can land Eto'o before making a bid for Berbatov.'


NOBODY LIKES ADEBAYOR
Were Berbatov to move Barcelona then it would end any hope Emmanuel Adebayor had of moving to the Nou Camp. And, from the sounds of it, the Togo striker has already realised he won't be leaving Arsenal this summer.

The Sun reports him telling an unidentified team-mate: "I'm not sure if I'm going to leave now."

Adebayor's popularity has plummeted this summer - and not only with Arsenal fans.

'AC Milan dropped out of the chase for the Togo star and Barca coach Pep Guardiola is not happy with his massive wage demands and the attitude of Adebayor's advisors. 'Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was furious that Adebayor, 24, turned down a new £60,000-a-week Arsenal deal - twice his current pay.'


CHIMBONDA TO BECOME VERY RICH
The reason behind Pascal Chimbonda's imminent move to Sunderland has been revealed: the full-back is poised to become the club's highest-paid player.

If The Sun is to be believed, 'Black Cats boss Roy Keane will hand the French right-back a £56,000-a- week deal valid for the next four years.

'The contract convinced Chimbonda, 29, to snub Everton and Newcastle - who were also trying to land his signature.'

Meanwhile, Teemu Tainio last night became Roy Keane's first summer signing.
Keane said on the club's official website: "I'm delighted to sign a player of Teemu's experience and quality, he'll be a valuable addition to our squad.

"Teemu has showed versatility, playing in different midfield positions for both Tottenham and his previous club, Auxerre."

The Finn is understood to have signed a three-year deal.


PENNANT FOR ROVERS
These are busy times at Blackburn and they could become even busier over the coming days. The Sun says that, with Bentley poised to depart, Paul Ince has identified Jermaine Pennant as his replacement.

A £6m bid is mooted - although Pool are likely to demand rather more after spending £6.7m to buy Pennant from Birmingham a couple of years ago.


NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS FOR LAMPARD
There's no real news or update on Frank Lampard's situation other than The Guardian reporting that Chelsea are 'insistent that they will not bow to his demands and offer him a five-year deal.

The chances of the 30-year-old leaving for Internazionale to be reunited with Mourinho this summer are rapidly receding, though, with some form of compromise likely - probably a four-year deal with an option for a further season,' the newspaper suggests.

Perhaps, but it's just as likely that Lampard will sign a pre-contract deal with Inter in January in the knowledge that he will be a free agent next season and can expect many, many millions of pounds from Inter as a signing-on fee.


HARPER TO REPLACE A BIG FIGURE AT BORO
Middlesbrough are expected to make another bid for Reading's James Harper after granting Lee Cattermole permission to talk to Wigan.

The two clubs have agreed a fee of £3.5m - money that could then be used by Gareth Southgate to fund another bid for the £5m-rated Harper. Well, that's what The Times reckons anyway.


AND THE REST...
Sunderland boss Roy Keane is making a £6million move for Aiden McGeady...Hull have agreed a £2.5million fee with Tottenham for Anthony Gardner...Chelsea striker Claudio Pizarro is ready for a move to Real Betis...El-Hadji Diouf is set to see out the remaining season of his Bolton contract...Bristol City's record signing Emad Meteb has gone AWOL just seven days after joining the club...Ipswich are set to make a £1million bid for FC Moscow's Roman Hubnik...Nottingham Forest have joined QPR in the race for Crystal Palace's £2million-rated star Ben Watson...Everton boss David Moyes is ready to splash the Andy Johnson transfer cash on Wagner Love. Johnson is heading to Fulham for £10.7million...West Ham plan to offer Freddie Sears a long-term deal in a bid to stave off interest from Arsenal and Tottenham...Hull are poised to sign Nigeria international Seyi Olofinjana after agreeing a £2million fee with Wolves...Hull will complete the signing of Marlon King within the next 24 hours...Chelsea defender Tal Ben Haim is set for talks with Manchester City...Real Betis are set to make a £1.5million bid for Chelsea's Claudio Pizarro...Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has opened the door for Rangers to take Adam Johnson on loan.

UNITED AGREE TEVEZ DEAL
Hopefully you'll have spotted the news that Manchester United have agreed a deal for Mr Carlos Tevez.




VILLA OPEN TO SPURS MOVE
And you also may have seen those juicy quotes from David Villa's agent saying he might be interested in moving to Spurs.

No? Click here then.


KEANE SET FOR LIVERPOOL MEDICAL
Speculation continues apace about Robbie Keane's impending move to Liverpool.

The Daily Mail claims Keane is due at Anfield at the start of next week for a medical, ahead of a move that will cost £18million intially, but could rise to £20million should Liverpool win the Premier or Champions League. No sniggering at the back.

The Sun reports similar news, and goes on to claim that Rafa Benitez will turn his attention away from Gareth Barry, and instead make a bid for Valencia's David Silva.

With Los Che in oodles and oodles of debt, Silva will apparently be a smidgen cheaper than Barry, and will provide a hell of a lot more hassle.


NEW SUITORS FOR XABI?
However, should Liverpool find someone else to stump up for Xabi Alonso, they might come back in for Barry.

And The Daily Mirror reckons they have found someone, and that someone is Fenerbache.

Now, whether it's another textbook piece of 2+2=5 rumour-mongering we're not sure, what with Luis Aragones being Fener's new boss, but hell - we're just the messenger.


ROBINHO 'DESPERATE' TO JOIN CHELSEA
The Independent reports that Brazilian party-boy Robinho is 'desperate' to leave Real Madrid and sign for Chelsea.

They claim a deal is more or less in place to take the 24-year-old to Stamford Bridge in exchange for the meaty sum of £25million.

The paper quotes a 'source' (him again) as saying Robinho will do whatever it takes to secure the move, including making a - gasp! Shock! Horror! - statement against the Spanish champions.

That's right kids - you read right - a statement.

If you listen carefully, you can probably hear Ramon Calderon quaking in his boots.


POMPEY TO NICK KABOUL?
Who thought that Younes Kaboul's transfer from Spurs could be so very interesting?

Sunderland thought they had their man on Thursday, only for him to ask for more time as Aston Villa came in with a late bid.

Now, The Sun claims that Portsmouth will gazump the pair of them and take the French 'defender' to Fratton Park.

The cheeky scamps.


CITEH TO NICK FRIEDEL?
And in more cheeky news, The Independent reports that Manchester City will nip in ahead of Aston Villa to sign Brad Friedel from Blackburn.

The big American was given permission to speak to Villa on Friday as Paul Robinson completed his move from Spurs to Ewood Park.

However, if Citeh fail then The Sun reckons they will go for Fulham's Antti Niemi instead.

Complicated it may be, but at least something is bloody happening.


AND THE REST...
Everton boss David Moyes will use the Andy Johnson transfer cash to buy Sporting Lisbon's Joao Moutinho...Middlesbrough have blocked Rangers' bid to sign Adam Johnson...Hull have signed Tottenham's Anthony Gardner on a six-month loan...Michael Mifsud's £1m switch from Coventry to Bristol City has hit a snag...Portsmouth have snatched Younes Kaboul from under the noses of Sunderland and Aston Villa...Leicester have signed Liverpool centre-back Jack Hobbs on a season-long loan...Birmingham are lining up a new £2m bid for Crystal Palace's Ben Watson...Nottingham Forest have signed Carlisle striker Joe Garner for £1.2m...Roque Santa Cruz wants clear-the-air talks with Blackburn after being linked with a £15m move to Manchester City...Sulley Muntari's £12m move to Inter Milan means Portsmouth can go for Shaun Wright-Phillips and Nickey Shorey...West Brom are in talks with Bolton to sign Abdoulaye Meite...Andy Johnson's £10.5m move to Fulham has moved a step closer...Rangers inability to agree terms with Fulham's Steven Davis could signal a move for him by Blackburn.

WHO KNOWS?
Conflicting reports this morn over the future of Dimitar Berbatov.

The short version is that a few papers reckon Manchester United have baulked at Spurs' £38million asking price, while The Sunday Express expects a deal to be done by the end of next week.

Who's right?

Meanwhile, The People reckon Spurs will replace Berbatov and Robbie Keane with Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko.


REAL TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO CESC
We all knew it would happen eventually, but probably not until next summer.

The News Of The World claims that Real Madrid have finally given up in their chase for Cristiano Ronaldo, and have instead turned their grubby little gaze to Cesc Fabgregas once again.

It all whiffs a little bit to us, and the paper tries to back up their claims with the justification 'the Gunners have a history of selling their best players'.


CHELSEA'S BRAZILIAN FUN
We suspect the The Observer may have been struggling for a football lead this Sunday.

In a story full of ifs and even fuller of buts, they claim that should Chelsea manage to sign Kaka then he will earn the frankly ridiculous sum of £1million a month, which after much consultation with an abacus, calculator and an accountant works out at £250,000-a-week.

Christ.

They seem to base their story on some hugely spurious quotes from a 'Milan source', which read thus: 'Kaká's contract gives him €9million in its first season and rises by a million euros for each of its five years. To better that, Chelsea will have to begin at more than £200,000 a week.'

And all of this is ignoring the fact that Kaka's agent - a species who famously like to bat away offers of stacks and stacks of cash - said only yesterday that his man is quite happy where he is, thanks very much.

Sounds like a done deal to us.

Away from that guff, The Sunday Telegraph reckons that Chelsea have put in a bid for £31.5million for Robinho to Real Madrid, but will have to bump that up to £35million if they want to get their man.


TOON GET DESPERATE
Amusing stuff in The Mail On Sunday, but not if you're a Newcastle fan.

The contradictory Word in that esteemed rag is that good old Keggy is looking to shore up his defence, but will instead spend £4million on Phillipe Senderos.

The Mail go on to claim that if Senderos is sold, it might indicate Arsenal are in financial difficulties. Alternatively, it might indicate Senderos is rubbish and if someone is dumb enough to pay that much for him then they should snap their hands off.


STRIKING OPTIONS
Interesting stuff from The People about Everton's striking situation.

They report Andy Johnson won't be allowed to join Fulham until Everton have a replacement. Diego Milito, Craig Bellamy and Darren Bent are possible targets.


SPIT
A deal that looks like going through pretty soon is El-Hadji Diouf's move to Sunderland.

Various papers quote various prices from £2.5million to £5million, but whatever the fee it looks like it's happening.


AND THE REST...
Everton boss David Moyes plans an £18million bid for Sporting Lisbon's Joao Moutinho...Calamity 'keeper Charles Itanje refused to join Galatasaray until he received a £100,000 pay-off from Liverpool...Fulham manager Roy Hodgson wants to make a £3million bid for Vincenzo Grella...Stoke want £2million-rated Michael Brown from Wigan...West Brom will make a new offer for Abdoulaye Meite of Bolton...Robbie Savage is on his way out of Derby...Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will tempt Crystal Palace with a £1.75million bid for Ben Watson...Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is making a late move for Goekhan Inler - and is fighting Newcastle for his signature...Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has had crisis talks with Mark Hughes after finding out he tried to sign Brad Friedel.

Hull's record £3million move for Marlon King is on the brink of collapse because he wants a bumper pay-off from Wigan...Xabi Alonso will meet Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez on Monday for crunch talks...Blackburn boss Paul Ince has put German right-back Patrick Ochs on his wanted list...Newcastle are trying to use Damien Duff as a 'sweetener' in their bid to sign Blackburn left-back Stephen Warnock...Everton boss David Moyes is making a shock move for Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa...Wigan boss Steve Bruce is offering Paul Scharner a £6million deal to keep him from the clutches of Aston Villa and Sunderland...Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has put Nicolas Burdisso top of his shopping list...Stoke boss Tony Pulis is making an ambitious move for Nicola Zigic...Arsenal are preparing a £14million raid for Sporting Lisbon's Miguel Veloso.

MANYOO STILL EXPECTED TO CHASE BERBATOV
Quite sensibly, few publications are taking the leaked disclosure from Manchester United that they are ready to withdraw their interest in Tottenham's Dimi Berbatov entirely seriously.

Reports appeared over the weekend claiming that United were considering alternative targets after being told that the Bulgarian would cost £38m. Spurs have displayed a reluctance to do business with United having reported the Old Trafford club to the Premier League over their pursuit of their want-away striker.

Yet, given that their interest in Berbatov is longstanding, the claim that Sir Alex Ferguson has turned his attention elsewhere is being greeted with considerable scepticism. Instead it is being interpreted as an act of brinkmanship that would force Tottenham to consider the implications of not dealing with United. As The Daily Telegraph notes, 'Relations between the two men [Ferguson and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy] are glacial but Levy is a businessman and if United do pull out, he can either keep an unmotivated player at White Hart Lane or try to do a deal with a less-than-fully interested Barcelona.'


WHAT A HOOT
While many of the papers are being sensible, The Daily Star definitely cannot be put into that category. That's 'paper' or 'sensible'.

For they claim, with what presumably is an entirely straight face, that Manchester United are weighing up a £15million move for Thierry Henry.

Yep. Go out and look at a copy.

They seek to justify their lunacy by meekly pointing to some of the other 'left-field' signings made by Fergie in his time at Old Trafford, namely Henrik Larsson and Eric Cantona.

Far more realistic is the suggestion in the same piece that alternatives include Roque Santa Cruz and Klass-Jan Huntelaar.

Now stop being so ludicrous chaps and get back to watching Big Brother.


KEANE ON VERGE OF LIVERPOOL MOVE
Robbie Keane is expected to complete his transfer from Tottenham to Liverpool later today.

According to reports, a £20m fee for the Irish striker has been agreed and Keane is on the verge of finalising his move to Anfield. The Guardian reports that 'Keane will undergo a medical today and his £20m move from Tottenham Hotspur may be completed in time for the forward to make his debut for his boyhood heroes in Liverpool's friendly in Spain against Villarreal on Wednesday.'




BIG EVERTON BID REJECTED
Sporting Lisbon have turned down a 15million euro bid from Everton for star midfielder Joao Moutinho, the Portuguese club confirmed on Sunday.

Moutinho has been linked with a move to the Barclays Premier League outfit all summer and the 21-year-old publicly declared his desire for a transfer recently.

But the Portugal international's pleas have fallen on deaf ears as Sporting have flatly refused to let one of their most promising youngsters leave.


ROMA WANT MALOUDA
Roma boss Luciano Spalletti has admitted the club are interested in Chelsea winger Florent Malouda.

Spalletti is in the market for a new attacking midfielder after seeing Amantino Mancini leave for Inter Milan.

Malouda has been strongly linked with a move to Roma in the Italian media after an indifferent first season at Chelsea. The former Lyon ace failed to establish himself as a regular in the Chelsea starting XI last season and Roma are monitoring his situation.

Spalletti has revealed Malouda and Valencia star David Silva are on his list of targets.

Meanwhile, one winger apparently not leaving Stamford Bridge is Mr Shaun Wright-Phillips, despite the no-doubt near irresistable lure of Portsmouth.

New head honcho Big Phil says the wee man is going nowhere, words that you can read just here.


CESC NOT YET READY FOR MADRID
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has hinted he is interested in a move to Real Madrid, but poured cold water on the idea he could move to the Bernabeu this summer.

Reports in Spain suggest Madrid president Ramon Calderon, resigned to missing out on Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, has prepared a big-money offer for the 21-year-old.

But while Fabregas, a product of the Barcelona youth academy, revealed he could move to Madrid in the future, he insists he wants to stay at the Emirates Stadium for the time being.


AND THE REST...
Brimingham City have lined up a £2m bid for Crystal Palace's Ben Watson. Should he go, Palace will use the cash to land Coventry striker Michael Mifsud...Bolton will make a new bid this week for Reading midfielder James Harper...Mark Hughes wants to bring Nigerian left-back Taye Taiwo to Manchester City...Michael Owen will sign a new contract at Newcastle in the next two to three weeks...Kanu has finally agreed a new one-year deal at Portsmouth...Celtic left-back Lee Naylor is an Aston Villa target after Wilfred Bouma's horror ankle injury at the weekend. The deal could see forward Shaun Maloney return to Celtic...Mick McCarthy and Wolves are ready to hijack Ben Thatcher's move to Ipswich...Michael Chretien has snubbbed a move from Nancy to Manchester City in favour of £3m switch to Real Betis...Coventry have offered former Liverpool right-back Stephen Wright a deal...Portsmouth will offer Celestine babayaro a one-year deal now he has beaten malaria...Palermo have triggered a Premier League scramble after they confirmed midfielder Mark Bresciano can leave for £5m.

WHO WILL SPURS REPLACE KEANE WITH?
Now Robbie Keane has finally made his move to Liverpool, attention in the tabs turns to his replacement.

The Daily Mirror have a lengthy shopping list for Magic Juande, which includes snapping up both Roman Pavlyuchenko and Diego Milito to play up top.

Also, the paper reckons they will use some of the Keane cash to fund bids for the wingers they've been after for some time - namely David Bentley and Sevilla's Diego Capel.


EVERTON USING THE JOHNSON MONEY WISELY?
Andy Johnson seems all set to move to Fulham.

Interestingly, The Daily Mail claims Everton will use the money from the sale of Johnson to bid £10.75million for Darren Bent.

Surely, with Dimitar Berbatov apparently spoiling for a move to Manchester United and Keane gone, Spurs won't be dumb enough to sell all of their strikers this summer...will they?


CHELSEA GO OFF ROBINHO
Word in The Independent this morning that Chelsea are growing weary of Real Madrid's stubborn insistence on getting a whole truck-load of cash for their Brazilian trickster Robinho.

Real apparently keep upping their asking price for the man identified by Peter Kenyon as Chelsea's only transfer target this summer, and such is their reluctance to keep messing around with Madrid, they will give Shaun Wright-Phillips another chance to make his mark at the Bridge.

Having rejected bids of around £25million then £27million for their man, Real have now upped the price tag to £30million, a step too far for the now fiscally-responsible Chelsea.


VILLA IN FOR SHOREY NOW
Having seen poor Wilfried Bouma's ankle flapping in the breeze at the weekend, Martin O'Neill has apparently decided that a left-back is required at Aston Villa.

The Daily Star claims that his primary target is Reading's Nicky Shorey, who will set him back the princely sum of £4.5million.

With Reading desperate to get their big earner off the wage bill and Villa desperate for cover anywhere in the squad, it's our scholarly opinion that this one has a chance.


BEN HAIM OFF TO CITEH
Word in various papers this morn that Tal Ben Haim is all set to complete a £5million move to Manchester Citeh any time soon.

Not much more to say about that to be honest.


AND THE REST...
Tottenham boss Juande Ramos has his eyes on Sweden goalkeeper Johan Wiland and Bosnia international Sead Ramovic...Hull boss Phil Brown is ready to ditch Marlon King and move for PSG striker Pascal Pancrate...Crystal Palace have headed off Arsenal's move for Victor Moses after the 17-year-old agreed a new four-year contract...Kevin Blackwell wants to take Michael Brown back to Sheffield United...Cardiff, Preston and Watford are eyeing Crystal Palace striker James Scowcroft...Ulises de la Cruz is set to complete a move to Watford...Austrian striker Marc Janko is a £1million target for Bristol City...Birmingham are close to signing former Arsenal youngster Quincy Owusu-Abeyie...Blackburn, Stoke, Wigan and Everton are interested in Abdoulaye Faye...Dynamo Kiev defender Badr El-Kaddouri claims Aston Villa want to sign him...Newcastle are on the verge of signing Argentina defender Fabricio Coloccini, according to his agent.

BARRY STILL WANTS MOVE
Despite Aston Villa's hardball stance, various reports claim Gareth Barry is still confident that his move to Liverpool will go through at some point.




SPURS TAKE A STEP BACK
The most interesting place for tranfers this summer is unquestionably White Hart Lane.

After buying a new defence in January, Magic Juande has purchased a new midfield this summer, and is now going about replacing his forward line.

The Sun reports this morning that Manchester United are hoping their up-top recruitment drive might persuade them that they don't need their best player after all, and they will be happy to sell Dimitar Berbatov.

It has to be said, the story is possibly the most spurious ever published in the hallowed pages of the good old Currant Bun, which is saying something.

However, it seems that a couple of their bids for attackers might have hit the rocks somewhat.

The Sun claims that Spurs and Zenit St Petersburg are some £8million apart in their valuation of Andrei Arshavin, with the Russians wanting around £24million for the player, and Spurs only prepared to pay £16million.

Meanwhile, Diego Milito's agent claims that Spurs have pulled out of a deal for his man.


CHELSEA IN FOR DIEGO
As the rest of us ponder how on earth Chelsea were going to fit Frank Lampard, Deco and Michael Ballack into the same team, Big Phil has apparently thrown another into the mix.

According to that reliable source of gospel news The Daily Express, Chelsea are preparing a £25million bid for Werder Bremen midfielder Diego, who looks to us like a slightly younger version of, well, Deco.

Meanwhile, the equally reliable Daily Star reckons they are going to stump up £30million for Sao Paulo playmaker Hernanes.

Seems unlikely, but who are we to doubt those two rags?


VILLA WANT SILVESTRE
Interesting line in The Daily Mail this morn.

They claim that Aston Villa will replace unidexter Wilfried Bouma with Mikael Silvestre, unwanted at Manchester United despite having two functioning legs.

Word is that the Frenchman will go to Villa Park on a one-year loan deal, presumably to be politely ignored once Bouma's foot returns to the upright position.


JOHNSON MOVE IN DOUBT?
In more medical japes, it seems that Andy Johnson's proposed move from Everton to Fulham could be in doubt after some mischief occured in his medical.

Details on that little one here.


SWAPSIES AT GOODISON
A year after making a big fuss over spending £6million on Leighton Baines, David Moyes might be sending the left-back on his merry way.

The Sun claims that Moyes wants to swap Baines for his Blackburn counterpart Stephen Warnock.

Interesting, given that Moyes has been 'Arry Redknapp-like in his complaints about his thin squad, it seems slightly strange, although in The Gossip Column's humble and irrelevant opinion, Warnock is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League.

So there.


AND THE REST...
Wigan target Jimmy Bullard insists he is happy at Fulham...Portsmouth striker David Nugent is a £5million target for Ipswich...West Ham are close to signing Shakhtar Donetsk keeper Jan Lastuvka...Hull have had a £1.5million bid for Kevin Davies rejected by Bolton...Bolton have laughed off West Brom's £1.75million bid for Abdoulaye Meite...Rangers are set to sign Cardiff's Glenn Loovens - but will have to swap either Kris Boyd or Daniel Cousin to get the defender...Djibril Cisse has rejected a move to Roma and hopes to return to England...Stoke are giving a trial to former Reading winger John Oster...Rosenborg have turned down West Brom's bid for midfielder Per Ciljan Skjelbred...Wolves have taken former Wales left-back Ben Thatcher on trial.

ADEBAYOR SET TO STAY
While it may be good news for Arsenal's fans, word this morning is that Emmanuel Adebayor's new contract at the Emirates might not be all that spiffing for the Gooner bean-counters.

The Times reckons the agreed deal is worth around £70,000-a-week, roughly double what he was taking home before.




ARSENAL LOOK FOR AN 'EXPERIENCED' MIDFIELDER
Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger's words on his transfer plans have set Fleet Street tongues a-waggin'.

Wenger said on Friday: "If we can do one more signing we will do it but it will need to be quality. We don't need money to buy someone, but it's not just about buying it has to be the right person. That is at the moment very difficult.

"We have enough young players who can step in but we lost experience and if we can get a midfielder with experience who can play a tactical role we will do it."

Naturally, in the 2+2=5 world of the transfer market that leads to assorted papers to speculate whether or not this means Arsene will be sneaking in to nick Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, as Liverpool dither and count out the coppers.


SPURS BACK IN FOR ARSHAVIN
It looks like Spurs are pretty determined to replace Robbie Keane with Andrei Arshavin.

Word from the Russian's agent is that a deal with the player is pretty much sewn-up, leaving the clubs to thrash out some form of agreement.

The papers over the past few days have suggested that Spurs and Zenit St Petersburg are a fair way apart in their valuations of the player (around £8million was the figure mentioned in some rags), but The Times carries quotes from Zenit boss Dick Advocaat, who reckons it's not over yet.

"We are waiting for a second [bid]," said Advocaat. "I think that they [Tottenham] will return to these negotiations."

Quite whether the relatively unproven Arshavin is worth more than they very much proven Keane is unclear, but it looks like we'll find out whether Spurs think so shortly.


FULHAM LOOKING TO RE-NEGOTIATE
Also in The Times is the news that Fulham want to alter the terms of the deal with Everton for Andrew Johnson, after some mischief over his medical at Craven Cottage.

An old knee injury cropped up in the clinical poking and prodding, and now Fulham apparently aren't as keen to stump up the initially agreed £10.5million plus add-ons of £1.5million.

No word yet on whether Everton will be open to negtiation, but given that they need the cash to finance the purchase of five or six new players (including Joao Moutinho from Sporting Lisbon), they will probably reason the quicker everything is sorted the better.


LOVELY JIMMY NOT SO LOVELY?
Everyone loves Jimmy Bullard. That's been proven somewhere.

However, 'everybody' apparently doesn't include whoever decides on new contracts at Fulham, if you believe The Daily Mail.

The paper reports that Bullard could leave Craven Cottage after the club refused to discuss a contract extension with the midfielder.

This will prick up ears in the Wigan, Middlesbrough and Bolton areas, all of whom are apparently willing to spend £4million to clasp Bullard into their welcoming northern bosoms.

TOON CLOSE ON COLLOCINI
Word in various rags is that Newcastle are going to do something they haven't done since Jonathan Woodgate signed on at St James' in 2005 - sign a decent defender.

That man is Deportivo La Coruna's Fabrizio Collocini


AND THE REST...
Wigan have put one over Manchester United and Aston Villa by persuading Wilson Palacios to sign a new contract...Hull are in talks with French defender Philippe Christanval...Liverpool goalkeeper Charles Itandje has rejected a move to Galatasaray...Hull boss Phil Brown will go to war with Bolton boss Gary Megson over Kevin Davies...QPR have re-signed Lee Cook on loan - a year after he joined Fulham...Blackburn boss Paul Ince wants Manchester United full-back Danny Simpson on loan...Bolton boss Gary Megson is ready to raid West Brom for Jonathan Greening...Crystal Palace are keen to sign Austrian striker Roman Kienast...Bolton defender Jaroslaw Fojut is a shock target for Napoli...West Brom are closing in on Charlton midfielder Zheng Zhi...Birmingham have been rebuffed in an approach for Darren Fletcher...Neil Warnock has warned Ben Watson he will have to rot in the reserves at Crystal Palace unless Birmingham cough up £2million.

Real Madrid are preparing a final bid of £60m for Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo. (News of the World)

Ronaldo will demand to be allowed to move to Real when he returns to United on Tuesday. (Telegraph)

Tottenham must pay £19m to sign Zenit St Petersburg striker Andrei Arshavin as well as make him the highest-paid player in the world. (Mail)

Tottenham midfielder Aaron Lennon is set to reject a move to Newcastle. (News of the World)

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari expects midfielder Frank Lampard to sign a new contract with the Blues. (News of the World)

Scolari is also confident Didier Drogba will agree a new contract, which will see the striker pick up £100,000 a week. (Mail)

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill believes midfielder Gareth Barry will join Liverpool. (News of the World)

But Arsenal will attempt to lure Barry to north London. (Express)

Portsmouth are losing interest in Younes Kaboul because of Spurs' £7m valuation. (News of the World)

Tottenham look set to fail with a £18m bid for West Ham striker Dean Ashton, who the Hammers insist is not for sale. (News of the World)

Everton manager David Moyes will bid £3m for Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher. (News of the World)

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson wants Everton striker Andy Johnson but for less than the £10.5m asking price. (Mail)

Bolton have tried to negotiate a deal for Jonathan Greening from West Brom in part exchange for Abdoulaye Meite. (News of the World)

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes will try to persuade former club Blackburn to sell him striker Roque Santa Cruz at a price of £12m. (News of the World)

Blackburn will bid £3m for Oldham's Neal Eardley. (News of the World)

West Brom have tabled a bid of £2m Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge. (News of the World)

Newcastle want to sign Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos and have been told he will cost them £10m or £7m plus goalkeeper Shay Given. (Mail)

Celtic defender Bobo Balde is being chased by Birmingham and Sunderland. (News of the World)

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan is interested in signing Southampton winger Nathan Dyer. (News of the World)

Birmingham are close to signing Spartak Moscow striker Quincy Owusu-Abeyie on loan. (News of the World)

Cardiff are on the verge of agreeing a deal for Wolves striker Jay Bothroyd. (News of the World)

Swansea and Nottingham Forest are in a battle to sign Walsall goalkeeper Clayton Ince. (News of the World)

Chesterfield want Spurs striker Andrew Barcham, but face competition for him Bournemouth. (News of the World)

Hull are offering former Bolton midfielder Ivan Campo a £500,000 bonus to join them and keep them in the Premier League. (News of the World)

Newcastle are at the centre of a £260m takeover battle between two of Asia's richest countries. (News of the World)

West Ham will retire Bobby Moore's number six shirt for good next week. (News of the World)

Referee Uriah Rennie has refused to be "pensioned off" by the Premier League, who had said he was no longer required at the age of 48. The Sheffield official appealed against the ruling and won his case. (Various)