By Chris Wright

In a world of pure imagination. Here’s the round up…

Rumour No. 1: After being dumped out of the Champions League on Tuesday night, Chelsea are now said to be planning a mammoth squad overhaul in the summer and owner Roman Abramovich has apparently sanctioned a £50 million bid for Fernando Torres in a bid to test the player’s (and Liverpool’s) resolve.

Other names being linked with a summer move to Stamford Bridge on today’s back pages are Sergio Aguero, Franck Ribery, David Villa, Simon Kjaer, Mouassa Dembele, Gonzalo Higuain, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Giampaolo Pazzini and Sergio Asenjo.

Deco, Joe Cole, Paulo Ferreira, Hilario, Ricardo Cavarlho, Juliano Belletti, Salomon Kalou and even Nicolas Anelka are the players reportedly facing the axe. Bloody hell! Who’s left?

Rumour No. 2: Celtic face a battle to hold on to Robbie Keane once the Irishman’s loan ends at Parkhead in the summer, as Aston Villa are apparently readying a £9 million bid for the Spurs striker.

Should Villa miss out on Keane they will turn their attention to Wigan’s £15 million-rated forward Hugo Rodallega.

The Best of the Rest: FC Twente are chasing Hull striker Jan Vennegoor Of Hesselink and will move for the 31 year old at the end of the season.

Sheffield United are keen to bring in Stoke’s reserve keeper Steve Simonsen to assist in their play-off push.

Celtic are preparing a bid for QPR’s Argentinian midfielder Alejandro Faurlin.

By Ollie Irish

Supermilner

Another terrific display by James Milner capped a fine away win for Villa, who are not yet out of the running for fourth. Milner scored the winner and generally showed what a fine player he’s become this season – compared with recent lifeless turns by Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, Milner is certainly playing well enough to earn a World Cup starting role on merit. But where to play Milner – through the middle or out wide?

The latter, probably. Milner has done very well in the middle of late, and his all-action performance at the DW Stadium won effusive praise from Martin O’Neill:

“It was an extraordinary performance by a really good player,” Villa’s gaffer said. “Since he has stepped into central midfield his game his improved tenfold and he continues to go from strength to strength.

“When you play wide you depend on other people giving you the ball to get into the game but when you have got that determination and energy, you might as well use it in the centre of the field.”

Hear hear. But is Capello ready to risk such a relatively inexperienced midfielder at the heart of England’s team in South Africa? I doubt it, but I hope Milner gets the chance to state his case for a central berth in one of England’s next friendlies.

As for Wigan, they are flirting worryingly with the drop zone. I think they’ll be okay, but they desperately need three points in their next game. Happily, it’s at home to Brian Laws’ Burnley, so three points it is.

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Aston Villa's James Collins (left) and Wigan Athletic's Marcelo Moreno

By Ollie Irish

Rafa Benitez criticised his players publicly after their lifeless performance at the DW last night. It’s not a good sign. I have long suspected that Steven Gerrard doesn’t really want to play for Benitez anymore, and you have to wonder about the manager’s status when he fails to stir any response from his team at half-time. Losing the dressing room is a horrible cliche, but I don’t think Benitez is the type to inspire loyalty when things go bad.

Perhaps the most damning indictment of the current Liverpool side is that they play horrible, cynical, unimaginative football, as stodgy as Wigan’s pitch. I can’t believe for a second that it’s any fun to be a Liverpool player right now – there is no joie de vivre at Anfield, and that’s down to the manager, who stifles creativity and can’t seem to develop players if they don’t instantly adhere to his tactics (see Alberto Aquilani).

Benitez’s overall record at Liverpool shows that he is – or was – a very good manager, but surely this summer is the time for Rafa to move on.

As for the consistently inconsistent Wigan, who scored via Hugo Rodallega after a mistake by Dirk Kuyt, these three points – which they fully deserved – are invaluable. They won’t go down, nor do they deserve to. Roberto Martinez is a fine young manager and his teams play proper football that is great to watch. Rafa, take note.

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Wigan Athletic's Titus Bramble (left) and Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt

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By Chris Wright

How do you like your eggs in the morning? Fertilized. Here’s the round up…

Rumour No. 1: Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has again sent his scouts to watch AS Monaco’s holding midfielder Jerko Leko.

The 29 year old Croatian was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge during January and interest has surfaced again, presumably because anything is better than Jon Obi Mikel.

Rumour No. 2: Wigan Athletic are planning a summer move for EEPNI’s flying right back Ahmed Al-Muhammadi, dubbed ‘The Ronaldo of The Middle East’.

However, The Latics may face hefty competition for the fashionable full back, who has been putting in some very impressive performances for the Egyptian national team recently.

The Best of the Rest: Arsenal are tracking Palermo’s highly rated forward Abel Hernandez. The 19 year old Uruguayan has been restricted to a ’super-sub’ role at The Rosanero, and is keen to move on in search of first team football.

Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal are chasing 18 year old Cardiff defender Adam Matthews.

Bayern Munich ace Franck Ribery has admitted that Chelsea are ‘very interested’ in him.

Habib Beye looks likely to quit Aston Villa in the summer and Sunderland are monitoring his situation closely.

By Chris Wright

Friday is Pieday. Here’s the round-up…

Joe feels he’s being shafted at Chelsea

Rumour No. 1: As Joe Cole’s contract negotiations continue to stall at Chelsea, it’s looking increasingly likely that the winger will be allowed to leave the club on a free transfer when his current deal ends in the summer.

Cole is reportedly holding out for a £100,000-a-week-plus deal but Chelsea are reluctant to make him one of their top earners, given his somewhat precarious recent injury record.

Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool (amongst a host of others I imagine) are said to be closely monitoring the developments at Stamford Bridge.

Franck Ribery and a dandy lion

Rumour No. 2: It looks like it might be a big summer for Juventus, who are desperate to refresh their under-performing squad.

The Bianconeri are set to go all-or-bust to bring in a marquee signing, and Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery is apparently the name at the top of the Italian giant’s list.

Munich seem resigned to losing Ribery come the end of the season (to Juve or, more likely, Real Madrid) and have lined up Barcelona’s Alexander Hleb as a direct replacement for the French winger.

The Best of the Rest: Arsenal are ‘on alert’ because long term target Mesut Ozil has rejected the offer of a new contract at Werder Bremen.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid are all chasing Osasuna’s young midfield prodigy Cesar Azpilicueta.

Roma are in pole position to sign William Gallas, should the French defender be unable to agree upon a new deal at Arsenal.

Highly rated Palermo defender Simon Kjaer will snub moves to Tottenham and Manchester United, as he wishes to join his countryman Daniel Agger at Liverpool.

Sunderland are tracking Athletic Bilbao’s Fran Yeste.

Wigan Athletic are keen on Espanyol’s 23 year old striker Jose Callijon.

In further Wigan news, utility man Paul Scharner has stated his desire to leave the club in the summer as he is ‘tired of fighting relegation every year and wishes to face a new challenge’.

By Chris Wright

The gossip is all a bit Liverpool heavy this morning. Here’s the round up…

It takes a real man to go sleeveless

Rumour No. 1: Inter Milan are to launch another bid for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, but only once Jose Mourinho has renewed his contract at the San Siro.

Inter President Massimo Moratti is eager for ‘The Special One’ to extend his deal from 2012 to 2013 (with a €2 million pay rise), and Moratti will offer an extra incentive by making the necessary funds available to strengthen the squad however Mourinho sees fit – with the acquisition of the England man being his top priority.

Gerrard has repeatedly stated his reluctance to leave his beloved hometown club, but the prospect of a Champions League-less season next term may force him to reconsider his future at Anfield.

“Look to the east when the sun rises on the third day”

Rumour No. 2: Liverpool’s talismanic striker Fernando Torres has admitted in an interview with Sport magazine that he ‘couldn’t play for another club in England’ after enjoying such a successful time at Anfield – good news so far for ‘Pool fans…

However, he is also quoted as saying that the only club he could see himself leaving Merseyside for is Barcelona. Ah.

The Best of the Rest: Manchester City are on ‘red alert’ because Gonzalo Higuain has reportedly rejected the offer of a new contract at Real Madrid.

Nani has urged Manchester United to sign his compatriot and former team-mate at Sporting Lisbon, Miguel Veloso.

Italian giants AC Milan and Roma are monitoring William Gallas‘ continuing contract dispute at Arsenal.

Speaking of Arsenal, The Gunners are apparently still tracking Felipe Melo, who joined Juventus in the summer after snubbing a move to The Emirates.

Everton have joined the race for West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans.

Birmingham City are to make a fresh £8.5 million bid for Estudiantes striker Mauro Boselli.

Wigan and Stoke are sniffing round Serbian defender Dusko Tosic, who is a free agent after being released by Portsmouth.

Wolves are planning to pinch Man City striker Benjani from under the noses of Sunderland (where the Zimbabwean is currently on loan) and West Ham in the summer.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle is keen to make American midfielder Stuart Holden’s loan move into a permanent one.

By Chris Wright

And the wind cried ‘rumours’. Here’s the round up…

Rumour No. 1: Everton manager David Moyes has drawn up a three-man shortlist of left sided midfielders, and is planning to bring in at least one of them during the summer.

The trio of southpaws on Moyes’ wishlist are said to be Man City’s Martin Petrov (who would be out of contract come June), Wolves’ Matt Jarvis and Stoke City’s Danny Pugh.

Rumour No. 2: Bayern Munich’s wing wizard Franck Ribery is set to put the kibosh on a prospective move to the Premier League by only opening contract talks with his current club and Real Madrid.

Chelsea and Manchester United have been heavily linked with a summer move for the French ace, but it seems his immediate future lies in either Germany or Spain.

The Best of the Rest: Arsenal are the latest Premier League team to send scouts to watch West Brom’s goal-scoring midfielder Graham Dorrans. The Scottish international is valued at around £6 million by The Baggies.

Birmingham City are to send scouts to Scotland’s game against the Czech Republic on Wednesday to watch Rangers striker Kris Boyd.

West Ham will move for Peterborough’s promising young keeper Joe Lewis should Robert Green leave The Hammers during the close season.

Liverpool have won the race to sign QPR starlet Raheem Sterling after tying the youngster to a £300,000 contract.

Burnley are chasing 29 year old winger Salomon Olembe, who spent an unsuccessful period at Wigan a few seasons back.

Newcastle are tracking Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara, who is currently on loan at Portsmouth.

By Chris Wright

Back on the internet with reckless abandon! Here’s the round up…

What’s known as ’cutting out the middle man’

Rumour No. 1: Professional scheister Ashley Cole has put Real Madrid and Barcelona on ‘high alert’ after admitting to being unhappy with his lot at Chelsea.

Cole is apparently incensed with the way the club handled his public ticking-off, following the most recent wave of allegations about his extra-curricular indiscretions, and every paper in England seems to agree that he may now leave Stamford Bridge for Spain at the end of the season.

If you’ll excuse the Clichy

Rumour No. 2: AC Milan are preparing a £16 million summer bid for Arsenal full back Gael Clichy. The Frenchman has been struggling with his form this season and Arsene Wenger is said to be seriously considering cashing in on the 24 year old.

The Best of the Rest: Everton have issued a ‘hands off’ warning to the clubs circling around Jack Rodwell.

Chelsea are now in pole position to sign €40 million rated Benfica star Angel Di Maria.

West Ham are to make a summer move for Manchester City keeper Joe Hart to replace the seemingly outbound Robert Green.

Sunderland are chasing Portsmouth’s utility man Marc Wilson.

Tottenham are close to agreeing a deal for 16 year old defender Emmanuel Mbola. The Zambian currently plays in Armenia with Pjunik Yerevan.

Anderson will probably not be leaving Man Utd. The Brazilian recently returned to his homeland after falling foul of Sir Alex, but has insisted he returned merely to ‘think about his future’ rather than to negotiate with other clubs.

West Brom have signed Wigan midfielder Ben Watson on loan.

By Chris Wright.

Snow? SNOW? Here’s the round up…

“It’s just a jump to the left, and then a step to the right…”

Rumour No. 1: Ajax star Luis Suarez (who is really rather good) is eyeing a move to the Premier League and, after snubbing interest from Manchester City and Chelsea, would be happy to join either Arsenal or Man United should the pair be willing to match his £30 million valuation.

The car in front…is Juan Manuel Vargas

Rumour No. 2: Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has apparently ’stepped up’ his interest in recruiting Fiorentina’s flying wingback Juan Manuel Vargas.

The prospective summer arrival of the Peruvian international at Eastlands could signal the end of Wayne Bridge’s City career – but a move to West Ham may see the England man find a new home sooner rather than later.

The Best of the Rest: Arsenal are on alert as Lazio striker Mauro Zarate has threatened to ‘walk out of the club’.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in bringing Thomas Hitzlsperger back to the Premier League. The former Villa midfielder is currently plying his trade at Lazio.

Portsmouth’s Nadir Belhadj has claimed he is ‘very interested’ in joining Barcelona. So am I Nadir, so am I…

Man City’s Martin Petrov has reportedly refused a contract extension at Eastlands and is considering an offer from Olympique Marseille.

Matthew Upson is refusing to commit his future to West Ham, fuelling speculation he is about to join Spurs in the summer.

Another man seemingly on his way out of Upton Park is Valon Behrami, who is mulling over an £8 million switch to VfB Stuttgart.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are all tracking 16 year old West Ham starlet Dominic Vose.

Reading ‘keeper Adam Federici is a £2 million target for Spurs.

Stoke are chasing Wigan’s utility man Paul Scharner.

Ajax full back ( and former Arsenal target) Gregory Van Der Wiel is being chased by Italian giants Juventus and Inter Milan.

By Chris Wright.

Apologies if the photos aren’t visible, still having problems. Here’s the round up…

Rumour No. 1: Barcelona have placed the name of John O’Shea (yes, that John O’Shea!) on their summer transfer shortlist. Barca are desperate to find some cover for Dani Alves at right back and Manchester United’s experienced utility man apparently fits their bill down to the ground.

Rumour No. 2:  Chelsea star Joe Cole’s contract talks at Stamford Bridge have stalled yet again, and this time the news has put Manchester United on alert.

Cole’s current deal runs out in the summer and United are understandably keen to make a cut-price swoop for the 28 year old winger, should his contract negotiations remain unresolved come June.

The Best of the Rest: Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic has again stressed that he wants to stay at Manchester United beyond the summer. The centre back has stated that he wishes to stay at Old Trafford ‘until the last day of his contract’, which ends in 2012.

Birmingham City are claiming that they have agreed a deal with Man City to allow Joe Hart to remain on loan at St. Andrews next season.

Bayern Munich have joined the race to sign Chelsea and Liverpool target Milos Krasic.

Arsenal youngster Gilles Sunnu is keen to complete a summer switch to Bordeaux after failing to settle in England.

Newcastle United and West Brom are competing for the signature of Wigan outcast Jason Koumas.

By Chris Wright

Today’s rumours contain scenes of a sexual nature. Here’s the round up…

“Don’t ya jus’ feel sexy?”

Rumour No. 1: Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has pleaded with Roman Abramovich to fund a £30 million summer swoop for Barcelona’s Dani Alves. Ancelotti is desperate to recruit a new right back after having to deploy Branislav Ivanovic their for most of the season, and Alves fits the Italian’s bill perfectly.

Gamberini worth a gamble?

Rumour No. 2: Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini sent a fleet of scouts to watch Fiorentina centre back Alessandro Gamberini at the weekend. The Italian defender is high on Mancini’s wishlist and a summer move to Eastlands may be on the cards for the 28 year old.

The Best Of The Rest: A Catalan radio station has reported that ‘Cesc Fabregas has verbally agreed to join Barcelona in the summer. Pretty much inevitable now then!

Manchester United are chasing a pair of children in Roma’s Valerio Verre and Filippo Cipriani, who are both 15 years old.

Milan Jovanovic’s agent has confirmed that the Standard Liege hitman will be a Liverpool player as of next season.

Stephen Ireland has conceded that his future may lie away from Man City after falling down the pecking order at Eastlands.

Sunderland striker Benjani wishes to make his loan move from Man City into a permanent deal.

Wigan Athletic and Sunderland are to compete for the signature of Cruz Azul’s Paraguayan international Christian Riveros in the summer.

AC Milan will not be held to ransom for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko. The German club are holding out for €40 million for the Bosnian forward but The Rossoneri cannot afford that kind of outlay.

By Ollie Irish

Paul Scharner’s brilliant header in the first half set Wigan on the road to three points but they faded in the second half, when a Tuncay header earned Stoke a point and stretched the Potters’ unbeaten run to seven games.

The Latics have now dropped 16 points from winning positions, a terrible record that explains why – despite wins against the likes of Chelsea and Aston Villa – they are only three points off the relegation zone. Stoke lie in the comfort of mid-table, with 30 points from 24 games.

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Wigan Athletic's Paul Scharner and Stoke City's Glenn Whelan (right) battle for the ball

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By Chris Wright

And lo, there was silence in the valley. Here’s the apres-deadline round up…

As well as signing Robbie Keane, Celtic also tied up loan deals for Bayern Munich’s Dutch full back Edson Braafheid and Fulham’s Senegalese striker Diomansy Kamara.

A deal that is hanging in the balance is Benjani’s loan switch from Man City to Sunderland. The Zimbabwean striker has a track record of fluffing deadline day transfers and it seems his jinxed run is to continue.

‘Technical difficulties’ are being cited as the reason for communication breaking down mid-negotiation, and Steve Bruce is now hoping for special dispensation from the FA to allow the deal to go through.

The Best of the Rest: Manchester City have signed Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson. The 23 year old has joined for a fee thought to be in the region of £7 million.

West Ham signed a trio of strikers as Ilan (unattached), Benni McCarthy (undisclosed fee from Blackburn) and Mido (loan from Middlesbrough) all completed deadline day switches. Mido has allegedly signed a contract worth less than £1000-a-week, making him the lowest paid Premier League player.

Burnley have extended David Nugent’s loan from Portsmouth until the end of the season.

Fulham completed deadline day moves for Stefano Okaka (AS Roma), Nicky Shorey (Aston Villa) and Christopher Buchtmann (Liverpool).

The Cottagers also saw Tony Kallio (loan to Sheffield United) leave the club.

Stoke finally got their man as Portsmouth ‘keeper Asmir Begovic joined The Potters for a £3.25 million fee.

Sunderland snapped up Tottenham right back Alan Hutton on loan until the summer.

The Black Cats also let Nyron Nosworthy (Sheff Utd), Daryl Murphy and David Healy (both Ipswich) leave the club on loan.

Wigan snapped up Victor Moses (£2.5 million from Crystal Palace) and Bolivian winger Marcelo Moreno (loan from Shaktar Donetsk).

Newcastle United took Leon Best from Coventry City for a £3 million fee.

By Chris Wright

Concentrate Victor! CONCENTRATE!

Wigan Athletic have beaten a host of teams to the signing of Crystal Palace starlet Victor Moses. The 19 year old forward has joined The Latics on a three-and-a-half-year deal for a fee of £2.5 million.

Cash-strapped Palace confirmed that they had received a number of firm offers for Moses over the past few days - as Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest all heightened their interest – but it is Wigan who have pipped the high-flying Championship trio in the race for the highly rated starlet.

By Chris Wright

“Sunday Bloody Sunday – It really encapsulates the frustration of a Sunday doesn’t it?” Here’s the round up…

And in a puff of smoke, Little Micky was gone

Rumour No. 1: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has run out of patience with Michael Owen and is willing to let the misfiring striker leave in the summer.

Owen has failed to impress at Old Trafford since joining United on a free transfer in the summer (despite scoring seven goals in only ten starts) and it seems the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle man will be looking for yet another new club come July.

A most unusual snowflake caught Robbie’s eye

Rumour No. 2: Sunderland are to table a cheeky little £9 million bid for Tottenham’s Robbie Keane before the transfer window slams shut tomorrow evening.

Should the deal for the Irishman go through, a transfer-chain-reaction could spring into action as Sunderland would then let Kenwyne Jones join Liverpool who, in turn, would allow Ryan Babel leave for Birmingham City.

The Best of the Rest: West Ham may try a sneaky loan bid for Robbie Keane if Sunderland’s offer is rejected by Tottenham.

Spurs’ front line is under siege from potential suitors as Fiorentina have now entered the race to sign Roman Pavlyuchenko on loan.

Sunderland are in talks to sign defender Nathaniel Clyne from Crystal Palace.

Yossi Benayoun is to quit Liverpool in the summer after becoming disillusioned with life at Anfield.

Manchester United will ‘never sell’ Wayne Rooney according to United chief exec David Gill.

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham are competing for the signature of Egypt super-sub Mohamed Gedo.

Wolves have also given up on signing Hull City winger Stephen Hunt after seeing a £4 million bid rejected.

In further Wolves news, Mick McCarthy is to make a deadline day move for Sunderland’s Nyron Nosworthy.

Wigan Athletic look set to win the race for Crystal Palace wunderkind Victor Moses after their £2.5 million bid was accepted yesterday.

Tottenham are to turn to Man Utd’s Ben Foster in their search for goalkeeping cover after Asmir Begovic turned down a move to the club.

Arsenal are keeping tabs on Real Madrid’s young winger Pablo Sarabia, who is out of contract in the summer.

Thierry Henry will be allowed to leave Barcelona in the summer to make room for the signing of either Franck Ribery or David Villa.

Sporting Lisbon have officially announced the signing of Pedro Mendes from Glasgow Rangers in a £2.5 million deal.