Jose Antonio Reyes is pleading with Real Madrid to reward his title-winning brace against Mallorca by translating his loan signing from Arsenal to a permanent move. The Spanish star's heroics on Sunday are sure to have increased the value fof that move, assuming it comes about.

Alan Smith’s recent plea for more first-team action at Manchester United has led to Gareth Southgate tailing him as a possible Middlesbrough purchase. Maybe Gareth sees him as a potential replacement for Mark Viduka, who has joined Newcastle. If that is the case, Boro may find Smithy's goalscoring exploits well below that of the maniac Aussie.

Murmurings abound that Spurs third-wheel Jermain Defoe will be leaving in the next week or so. Locations for his transfer include Arsenal, Man United and Chelsea - but not under any circumstances West Ham!

Fresh from being turned down by Darren Bent, West Ham have failed in another attempt to score a striker after they approached Blackburn in the hope of signing Benni McCarthy. Somewhat unsurprisingly, Benni was not interested.

Harry Redknapp is said to be close to forming an audacious bid for Sevilla’s Fredi Kanoute as Portsmouth look to replace Kanu. The 29-year-old Nigerian is said to be on his way back to Ajax - the club with which he rose to fame all those years ago.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is keen to sign surplus-to-requirements West Ham striker Marlon Harewood, who has fallen down the pecking order since Alan Curbishley took over at Upton Park. Apparently a fee of £3m has already been turned down by the Hammers.

The craziest rumour doing the rounds today is the potential move by former Real Madrid and current Celtic hard-man Thomas Gravesen to, wait for it . . . Sheffield United. This is a move that would be hard to fathom even if the Blades had retained their Premiership status, let alone with them facing  next season in the Championship. I think we can consign this particular rumour into the pure-fantasy basket.