Kieron Dyer is once again in the news, and I am further perpetuating this situation by starting with this topic. apologies in advance to anyone who has had just about enough of this fiasco.

West Ham’s number two Mervyn Day has revealed they could try again for the Newcastle midfielder (tribalfootball.com). The former Leyton Orient keeper said: "The Dyer deal could be back on, but I don't know how", which is refreshingly honest and equally vague.

In the other camp, Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce told the Evening Chronicle: "Kieron trained with us yesterday and really he needs his own space, and that's what we will give him. He needs to collect his own thoughts and we will have to wait and see what develops. He was a bit down in the dumps, but you don't always get what you want out of life and you just have to get on with it and as far as his move to West Ham is concerned, it is all in their hands." Rumours that Lee Bowyer has cleared out his spare room and is preparing a house-warming party for his old chum are hugely inaccurate.

'Everton need quality strikers to take the burden off Andy Johnson, and even with up-and-coming talent like James Vaughan on their books, Yakubu could be a useful acquisition'


Sir Alex Ferguson has been banned from attending two Manchester United friendly matches by his wife, who needs help moving home. "I told her I had a match but she wasn't having any of it," said Ferguson. "She said it was a friendly and I had to help her." (various). So now we know who wears the trousers in the Ferguson household. May I recommend that Gabby Heinze sends Mrs Ferguson some gifts and ask her to fight his Liverpool move case on his behalf.

Meanwhile, United are weighing up making a move for Lens goalkeeper Charles Itandje, who is also being tracked by  Real Betis, Lyon and Aston Villa (Daily Mirror). United’s goalkeeper woes are well documented; ever since Peter Schmeichel packed his bags in 1999 Sir Alex has been trying to find another quality custodian. He appears to have one in Edwin van der Sar, but at 36 the Dutchman is getting on a bit even in goalkeeping terms. Fans of England International Ben Foster, and there are many, will hope that should a vacancy between the sticks become available, he will be given a shot (note clever use of the word shot), and with solid back-up from Tomasz Kuszczak some would wonder whether Old Trafford has a need for Itandje.

Liverpool's Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Anthony Le Tallec are set to end their spells at the club by joining Spain's Recreativo Huelva (Mirror). Neither of these young Frenchmen has actually played for Rafa Benitez for some time. Pongolle has fallen on his feet somewhat at up-and-coming La Liga side Recreativo, finishing last season as top scorer, whereas Le Tallec has stagnated somewhat and he is probably thankful that his cousin is looking out for him by aiding this transfer.

Tottenham and Aston Villa both want West Brom defender Curtis Davies but are not prepared to get dragged into a bidding war to get him (The Times). However, Curtis is a prized asset and it may take serious cash to prise him away from The Hawthorns, so expect the cheque books to be opened by Messrs Levy and Lerner.

Manchester City have somewhat unwisely slapped a £4m price tag on want-away striker Giorgios Samaras, which appears to have ended Middlesbrough's interest (The Sun). Seeing such as a price tag would scare most teams off signing the misfiring Samaras and I am not surprised that Boro's interest has waned. Next Sven Goran Eriksson will be offering Darius Vassell to go with the Greek international and demand £6.50 and a pint.

Before anyone accuses me of being unfairly harsh on Samaras, I would add that of the 11 goals he has managed in a Blues shirt in 58 appearances (many as sub), two were from the penalty spot, and one each against Sheffield Wednesday and the mighty Chesterfield.

Birmingham, Middlesbrough and Reading are all chasing veteran Czech striker Jan Koller (The Times). Should any of these sides pick up the 6ft 7in giant it could prove to be a ‘big’ coup and oddly enough could just do the trick. Although admittedly not great on the deck, Koller does have a decent touch and has scored goals for fun in Germany and Belgium, although not so frequently for Ricardo Gomes’s AS Monaco side.

Everton manager David Moyes is set to seal a double swoop for Middlesbrough striker Yakubu and Portuguese playmaker Manuel Fernandes for up to £19m (various). Everton need quality strikers to take the burden off Andy Johnson, and even with up-and-coming talent like James Vaughan on their books, Yakubu could be a useful acquisition as he has a proven goalscoring record in the Premier League.

Attacking midfielder Fernandes, 21, impressed many, including myself, whilst on loan at Goodison last season, but just how much money does David Moyes have to spend? The Toffees are also supposed to be on the verge of signing Lucho Gonzalez for a club-record £11m and have invested £6m wisely with the capturing of Leighton Baines. So where will it end!