Arsenal have opened negotiations with Valencia over the transfer of �11m-rated Spain keeper Santiago Canizares - and could use Robert Pires as bait (Daily Express).

Chelsea are back in the hunt for Italy striker Christian Vieri after Inter Milan dropped their asking price to �20m (Daily Mirror).

Chelsea are expected to turn their attention to Brazilian striker Emerson, with the player's club Roma indicating that they have received a �15m offer (Daily Telegraph).

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren is stepping up his interest in Newcastle's Gary Speed after apparently losing out on West Ham's Trevor Sinclair (The Guardian).

HAVE YOUR SAY I've heard that Villa will sign Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorenson and Bayer Leverkusen's Basturk. From Mr. Hahn, Birmingham Send in your gossip

Tottenham are the real targets for the Venezuelan businessman who is reportedly interested in buying Aston Villa (Daily Mail).

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is weighing up a bid for Finnish international keeper Mikko Kaven, who is available for a bargain �500,000 (Daily Star).

Manchester United have lost the battle to sign Ronaldinho after their final offer of �23m was rejected, leaving the Brazilian on the brink of joining Barcelona (Daily Mail).

Chelsea are sweating that Manchester United could hijack their �17m move for Blackburn's Damien Duff if they miss out on signing Ronaldinho (Daily Star).

Sunderland will not sell striker Kevin Phillips for less than �4m. Rangers, Middlesbrough, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Charlton are all keen on the 29-year-old (Daily Star).

Chelsea have made a �16m bid for Deportivo La Coruna striker Roy Makaay but the fee would be reduced by �2m if Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink agrees to go the other way (Daily Mail).

Liverpool midfielder Salif Diao is wanted by Paris St Germain (Daily Mirror).