Of Liverpool's other targets, rightback-cum-winger Dani Alves seems most likely to end up with Real Madrid, AC Milan or Chelsea (the last two have made offers) and Samuel Eto'o could end up just about anywhere with Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Milan and plenty of others all interested.

Carlos Tevez is still rumoured to be a top target with Craig Bellamy likely to join either West Ham or Villa.

At Arsenal, Thierry Henry didn't do their fans any good by making noises about being "attered at interest from Milan - Barcelona will of course renew their yearly interest as well and this time Henry might just end up going. Eto'o would probably be asked for in return.

Arjen Robben is set to sign a new deal at Chelsea, ending Real Madrid's interest while new Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri has mentioned Frank Lampard for a possible move to Italy with Lampard yet to sign a new deal.

Manchester United chief executive David Gill announced last night that Alex Ferguson wants to buy a striker with Dimitar Berbatov and Nicolas Anelka in contention.

Around the Premiership, others continue to play catch up.

Newcastle have takenMark Viduka on a free from Middlesbrough and Joey Barton is on his way there from Man City for �5.5million, with Scott Parker going back to London with West Ham for �7million.

From an Irish perspective, Paddy McCarthymoved from Leicester to Charlton for �650,000. Paul McShane is being talked about as a potential signing for Roy Keane at Sunderland and Alex Bruce is possibly heading to Sheff Utd from Ipswich. Wes Hoolahan's permanent move to Blackpool is being blocked by Livingston.