Tottenham have made Portsmouth's Matt Taylor a target - but Pompey are asking £8m (Sun). Liverpool also made enquiries about the 25 year-old left-sided player earlier in the summer (BBC) and rumours abound that West Ham are also keen (various).

I, too, am a fan of the free scoring former Luton man, but is he worth £8m? Martin Jol isn't so sure and values him at around half Pompey's price. Consistently on the fringes of an England call-up, a move to any of these three sides could see Taylor become a more viable part of Steve McClaren's plans - and that could play a part in any decision the player makes.

Scorer of spectacular goals and not afraid to go into crunching tackles, Taylor is the kind of player supporters like because he wears his heart on his sleeve (not literally, but clearly a cliché of the highest order). If you were Matt, what would you do? That's right, I am sitting on the fence on this one!

The Iceman will not cometh to Upton Park. Apparently Eidur Gudjohnsen has rejected a move to West Ham even though Barcelona accepted an £8m bid (Sun) and as usual Sven is just around the corner with his newly-acquired cheque book looking to pick up another member for his multi-national Manchester City squad. So, too, are Newcastle as both sides are also after the former Chelsea striker (The Independent).

I am unsure as to why Eidur would turn down the fast-improving West Ham squad in favour of either City or Newcastle, who both seem to be on a similar footing to the Hammers. So maybe he just doesn't fancy a return to the Premier League, deciding instead to fight for a place in a Barcelona attack that includes Lionel Messi,Thierry  Henry, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o! We shall see in the coming weeks where exactly the talented striker decides to call home.

AC Milan are weighing up a bid for Arsenal's Tomas Rosicky (Corriere dello Sport). The venerable Italian publication adds that the move is seen as squad cover for Brazilian genius Kaka. Whilst the Czech Republic star didn't exactly set the Premier League alight last term, I think the attacking midfielder with an eye for 20-yard screamers still has a job to do at the Emirates, so I don't think this deal will materialise.

Another deal not likely to see the light of day involves Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who can't see his Chelsea contracted son Shaun Wright-Phillips ever pulling on a Gunners shirt (tribalfootball.com). Ian Wright-Wright-Wright said: "I've tried to get him into Arsenal, but Arsene Wenger doesn't want him. What do the fans want me to do, camp outside the training ground?" That's not a bad idea, Ian - are you free today?

Frank Lampard has shaken Chelsea on the eve of the new season by suspending contract talks with the club (Daily Star). Lampard has reportedly revealed he intends to delay contract talks until next summer, but insists he wants to stay at Chelsea (sportinglife.com).

The ongoing saga over Lamps' ''last footballing contract'', something the England star is keen to stress with an eye to his final long-term deal, really doesn't show the midfielder in a good light. If he is so keen to stay, why is he delaying contract talks until the end of the season? The only conclusion you can draw from this statement, if it is indeed accurate, is that he is leaving his options open in case Chelsea struggle.

However, Frank is claiming that it is more a case of wanting to concentrate on the new season and that he is committed to the club. He added: "My intention is to stay. I have got two years left on my contract. I want to stay for the rest of my career. It is as simple as that."

OK, so that is pretty clear cut, take a note of those words. I sincerely hope he means them, but for some nagging feeling (maybe a hangover) I am not so sure.

Eggert Magnusson has promised West Ham will spend, spend, spend until they break into the Premier League's top four (Daily Mail). Whilst some may retort that Eggert may need a hell of a lot of money to secure entry to the Champions League party, I think Hammers fans should be ecstatic that they have a chairman who is willing to put his money where his mouth is, regardless of whether this can realistically lead them to the higher echelons of the Premier League.

Liverpool have shocked Manchester City with their £12m tag on Scott Carson (Daily Mirror). I, too, am a little shocked by the figure, not that I don't rate Carson, who is in fact one of the best young keepers in the world. But I would have thought that he would be nearer the £9m that Sunderland just shelled out for Scotland's number one Craig Gordon. Add to that the fact that Carson, 21, is not even Liverpool's first choice, whereas Gordon was arguably the most important player left at Tynecastle.

I am sure he wants regular first-team football and would not want to be hindered by such a large price tag. I guess if Rafa really had Carson in his plans, then no amount of money would be relevant. So if the claims are correct, it seems Benitez just wants to cash in on the former Leeds keeper, who by the way only cost Liverpool around £1m in January 2005.

Aston Villa are also keen to sign the young keeper, but are seeking to do so on a loan deal, which may suit Liverpool.