Derby County boss Billy Davies reportedly wants £5m for West Ham and Spurs target Giles Barnes (various). The highly-rated midfielder has been the subject of heated speculation for weeks now. it seems the Rams are resigned to losing 18-year-old Barnes and Davies said: "There has been interest in him. But it's so far away from any valuation we have that we've kicked it into touch."

When you hear statements that do not rule out a move entirely, they are generally a sign that once the right valuation is met then the player will be on his way. To be honest, £5m seems a little cheap. I know that at such a young age many would regard any such figure as a huge gamble, but Barnes has two seasons under his belt, and impressive ones at that. If I were either Spurs of West Ham, I would get the cheque books out pretty sharpish before someone else joins the race.

Talking of picking up youngsters, Arsene Wenger is on the look out again. Arsenal have coughed up £1m for 16-year-old striker Gilles Sunu from Chateauroux (tribalfootball.com). According to the Daily Mirror, the French club's vice chairman Patrick Trotignon said: "He plays as an out-and-out striker like Thierry Henry, but can also play in midfield.”

Again there is always the aspect of risk when taking on such young talent. in this instance Sunu clearly does not have the top-level experience of Barnes. But at 16, what do you expect? Given the history that Wenger has with regards to turning blossoming potential into world-class talent, it's a fair bet that we will be hearing more about the French teenager.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he's planning for the next three years with Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs as key members of his side (various). The two venerable Old Trafford servants have done it all in the United shirt, and judging by performances last term they still have the passion and more importantly the ability to compete with the elite.

However, given the massive outlay on midfielders during the summer, it is clear that Fergie is covering his bases should injury, tiredness or indeed loss of form effect the two Red Devil legends. Which brings me to the pointless stat of the day - did you know that the Scholes and Giggs have taken part in an astounding 1,248 matches for United?

Former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has claimed he bet on Liverpool losing last season's Champions League final in the wake of his fury with Anfield boss Rafa Benitez for fielding a reserve team for that crucial Premier League match against Fulham in May (The Sun). Water off a duck’s back, this one. Liverpool’s 11 that day was almost certainly a better one than any side the Blades put out during the season. And by all accounts it was more luck than judgement that prevented the Reds from annihilating Fulham.

Seemingly not deterred by the £10m price tag placed on Craig Gordon, Sunderland plan to make another bid to sign the Hearts and Scotland keeper (The Sun). That £10m fee was apparently mentioned he last time Roy Keane rang up Vladimir Romanov at Tynecastle. If I were Keano,  I'd pay the money - not only is it what I think the Scottish No.1 is worth, I would also consider the lack of goalkeeping talent currently at the Stadium of Light.

Staying in Scotland, which incidentally might not be what Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith is considering given the latest twist in his transfer rumour saga, The Herald says Derby boss Billy Davies is weighing up a bid for the rising star. With Rangers and Celtic also interested, it would be a tough decision for Naismith to make. On the one hand he would get Premiership football, but with no direspect to Derby, how long for? On the other hand, he could join either of the Old Firm clubs, who are arguably among  Europe’s biggest - with Champions League football to look forward to in the case of Celtic as well as Rangers, if they negotiate the qualifying rounds that is. It's make your mind up time, Steven - depending on how much Killie expect for you, of course.

Portsmouth are trying to resurrect a deal for Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute (The Times). Having purchased the Mali international whilst he was boss at Upton Park, Harry Redknapp wants to repeat the act by bringing in the in-form La Liga striker to Fratton Park. Fredi is said to be happy in Spain and his 21-goal tally last term shows that things are going well for him. However, he never really set the Premiership alight in his five years at West Ham and at Spurs, so that might be extra motivation for him to return to England. The figure of £7m might not be enough to persuade Sevilla, who value their star striker considerably higher than that.

Former Manchester United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron has warned his Argentine compatriot Carlos Tevez that joining the club could kill his career (Daily Star). A startling statement from the world-class midfielder, who looked everything but in the United and Chelsea shirts he wore all-too-fleetingly.