Middlesbrough's resolve to hang on to midfielder Stewart Downing will be tested to the full on Monday when he hands in a written transfer request. (Press Association 1400 GMT)
Downing seeks Middlesbrough exit

Aston Villa are in talks with West Ham to sign Matthew Upson for �10m, but the Hammers want �15m for the defender. (News of the World)

Manager Martin O'Neill is also ready to splash �5m to bring Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones to Villa Park. (Sunday Express)

Glen Johnson will complete a �9m move to Liverpool this week. The Portsmouth right-back was apparently given a tour of the Merseysiders' Melwood training complex in the build-up to Christmas. (The People)

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams wants to sign Joey Barton. The Newcastle midfielder spent time at Adams' Sporting Chance clinic last year. (The People)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland his main transfer window target after accepting defeat in his bid to sign Everton's Mikel Arteta. (News of the World)

Manchester City continue to pursue midfielder Arteta and are willing to offer Everton �12m for the Spaniard. (The People)

Middlesbrough have accused Spurs of trying to steal Stewart Downing on the cheap after the Londoners bid about �6m for the winger. Boro value the England international at more than double that fee. (News of the World)

Juventus join the growing queue of clubs chasing Newcastle striker Michael Owen. (News of the World)

The Serie A club are also rumoured to be willing to pay �20m for Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe - sparking a massive bidding war for the England striker. (Daily Mirror)

Defoe and Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given will head Manchester City's �80m spending spree. City's January shopping list includes Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz and West Ham duo Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker. (Sunday Express)

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes believes he can beat the 'Big Four' to the signing of Leeds United youngster Fabian Delph. (The Observer)

However, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson sees the Leeds midfielder as the long-term replacement for Paul Scholes and is putting together a �10m deal for the England Under-21 player. (Sunday Express)

Sunderland's new boss Ricky Sbragia is prepared to release El Hadji Diouf and Pascal Chimbonda. Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce could be interested in them both. (Sunday Express)

Aaron Lennon could be leaving Tottenham and the England winger may be on his way to Liverpool if Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso is sold. (Sunday Times)

Tottenham, Portsmouth and Bolton are in the hunt for Sheffield Wednesday's �5m-rated goalkeeper Lee Grant. (Sunday Express)

Spurs face opposition from Roma if they are to pursue an interest in Bayern Munich and Germany striker Lukas Podolski. (Sunday Times)

Reading striker Leroy Lita, who is out of contract in the summer, is a target for Everton and Newcastle with both clubs attracted by the �350,000 price tag. (News of the World)

Everton are set to launch an �8m bid for Racing Santander striker Mohamed Tchite, 24. (The People)

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy hopes to put together a package to prise �1m-rated midfielder John-Joe O'Toole away from Watford. (News of the World)

Hull boss Phil Brown is ready to make an ambitious move for Sheffield United striker James Beattie. (The People)

Newcastle will launch a shock move for Ibrox keeper Allan McGregor if Shay Given goes through with his threat to quit St James' Park. (Scottish Sunday Express).

David Healy's agent has played down rumours that the striker will move on-loan to his boyhood favourites Rangers. Reports have suggested that the Sunderland frontman is a target for Walter Smith at Ibrox. (Sunday Mail)

Hearts are set to swoop for Kaunas defender Manta Fridrika as a replacement for Christophe Berra. Tynecastle skipper Berra looks set to leave in the January transfer window with 20-year-old Fridrika in their sights. (Daily Record)

Celtic have been told to forget about a move for Bosnia-Herzegovina striker Semir Stilic. The player's club, Lech Poznan have said the player will be worth more in the summer, despite a rumoured �2.5 million move linking him with the Glasgow side. (Scotland on Sunday)

Championship strugglers Derby want former England coach Steve McClaren to become the club's next manager, but the search for a new boss is set to be overshadowed by a takeover bid from a wealthy Saudi Arabian family. (Mail on Sunday)

However, former England caretaker boss Peter Taylor will be appointed Derby boss if Nigel Clough decides to turn down the Rams and see out the season at Burton Albion. (News of the World)

Theo Walcott is growing frustrated and disappointed at Arsenal's refusal to offer him a new deal. The England star has just 18 months to run on his present contract, yet no definite offer has been made. (News of the World)

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