It seems that Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has scrapped the deal to sign Hossam Ghaly from Spurs after an extraordinary training-ground bust-up (Sunday Express). Now if the bust-up was a physical one I can only imagine just how one-sided an affair that would be. However, what it does mean is that the 'shirt-chucker' Egyptian will have a squad number and a Spurs shirt - but is unlikely to be doing much more than warming the bench, especially given Martin Jol's comments on the matter.

The gruff Dutchman put his cards on the table (not literally) and did not mince his words (again not literally) when he said: "We thought he was gone, so we bought Boateng and it is not going to be easy for him" (various).

Jol had time to add that he will always try to buy British when replenishing his squad (Tribalfootball.com), and I assume that is even if they have to pay over the odds for a player. Purchasing young British talent can sometimes be an exercise in being ripped off, especially when compared with the value of a similar level player abroad. It's an age-old argument, and one that can be battled out in the comment box!

Arsenal have turned down a £10m bid from Valencia for midfielder Gilberto Silva (Sunday People). Gilberto proved me wrong about four years ago; I wasn't a big fan of the defensive midfielder and I thought his move to Highbury would be a short-term disaster. But he has in fact been a Goliath for the Gunners.

He went up even higher in my estimation for two reasons last season; first, he was in my view (alongside Cesc Fabregas) the player of the faltering season at the Emirates and second, because he went to London Zoo to meet the Tapir (large amusing pig-like mammal that resides mainly in South America and parts of Devon) that had been named 'Gilberto' in his honour. So he's clearly a man with a sense of humour, or maybe some weird Tapir fixation?

Anyway, Arsene and Arsenal were right to turn down the bid and i am sure that Gunners fans, and the Tapir, hope he will see out his career in north London.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are keen to sign unsettled Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra for £2m (various). How can Arsene resist at that price? And of course Diarra is from France, so expect him to be in an Arsenal shirt quicker than you can say something French. Unless, of course, this is a whole fabrication . . .

Barcelona want to launch a new bid to lure Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard to the Nou Camp (News of the World). Yet another story relating to Mr Lamps and his imminent departure from Stamford Bridge. A month ago this deal was a distinct possibility in my mind (and probably nowhere else). Now we are less than a week away from the new season and I think the former West Ham man will again be launching 30-yard screamers in a Blues shirt (some of which will deflect in, some of which will find the top corner and some of which will simply send a dodgy burger flying out of the hands of a confused eight year old in a replica shirt).

Rangers have tabled a £1m offer to Portsmouth for 32-year-old Serb defender Dejan Stefanovic (Sunday People). Dejan has the calm air of a 'been-there, done that' type of player. He's a hugely experienced and no-nonsense performer without being a hoof merchant - but he may find first-team chances limited at Fratton Park, especially at centre-back. Walter Smith would do well to add Stefanovic to his side; he's the kind of leader who would revel seeing out his carrer in the SPL, especially at such a mammoth club as Rangers.

Aston Villa are close to securing the capture of Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon (Sunday Mirror), who  Sunderland also came very near to signing. Will Martin O'Neill's new cash injection cover a £10m goalkeeper? Let's hope so because he is worth every penny.

Big-spending Fulham are after Blackburn's £4m-rated striker Jason Roberts (Sunday Mirror). Lawrie Sanchez is sneakily collecting good solid members to add to his Craven Cottage squad, having already snared David Healy and Diomansy Kamara as strikers to add to aging war-horse Brian 'I could crush a diamond with my head' McBride. But, given Kamara's likely involvement in the African Nations Cup with Senegal, adding another striker to the mix may be just what is needed to avoid another relegation dogfight.

Is Roberts worth £4m, though? You tell me!