OK, we’re getting ever nearer the slamming shut of the transfer window - and here come a rollercoaster of rumours. These are taken from a number of sources whose validity can, and should, indeed be questioned.

Arsenal and Liverpool fans look away now. Apparently both your sides are after a world-class defender; well, it seems none were available as it has been reported that Jean-Alain Boumsong is in the country and looking for a club - and both Arsene and Rafa are said to be looking into the situation.

Anyone unaware of the great French international’s credentials should get hold of footage of his brief Newcastle career, where he did a great impression of a headless chicken for most of his tenure at St James Park. He has since helped Juventus back into Serie A, but I would personally eat my own ankle is this rumoured potential transfer has any basis in reality.

'Might be worth Liverpool buying Alves just to see how berserk The Special One goes'


Daniel Alves is apparently going to Liverpool. A number of reliable sources have revealed that he is about to join Rafa (sportinglife.com) and deal a crushing mind-game blow to Jose's Chelsea. This would indeed be a shock, especially as it appears to be centre-backs that Benitez is after. Might be worth buying him just to see how berserk The Special One goes.

Benni McCarthy is said to be nearing a move to Manchester United. He didn't figure at all last night as Blackburn eased into the UEFA Cup proper. Sir Alex missed out on Adriano or Nicolas Anelka, or maybe simply did not want them, so will the South African shortly be an Old Trafford player?

It appears, however, that another world-class striker may be heading to United and that is Klaas Jan Huntelaar (various). The 24-year-old Ajax and Holland goalscorer is said to be very close to signing a last-minute deal and, given his CV, it would greatly appease Red Devils fans keen to see a front-man arrive before it is too late.

There are some mutterings that Jermain Defoe may be heading from Spurs to Blackburn, but I would be shocked if this proved to be correct. The England international has yet to sign a new contract and he may indeed be heading out of White Hart Lane. But to Ewood Park? I don't buy it.

Juan Riquelme, the Argentinian playmaker, has flown to Merseyside for talks with Everton (Daily Mail), but it’s also reported that the unsettled Villarreal midfielder will get onto another plane and jet to London as he is considering the offer of a one-year loan deal at Spurs. West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is also said to be after the 29-year-old footballing magician after his move for Adriano left him without a big-name signing.

It does appear that Curbishley is about to land Derby County’s Giles Barnes and Nicky Shorey from Reading (various). Respective managers Billy Davies and Steve Coppell seem to be relenting and are after around £5m and £8m respectively for the pair.

Meanwhile, Derby seem close to landing David Nugent after his brief stay at Portsmouth comes to an end. His arrival will greatly boost Davies’s misfiring Pride Park side – but will it happen in time? El-Hadji Diouf is apparently replacing the England striker at Pompey. He has been spotted in the area and Harry Redknapp is known to be a fan of the former Liverpool headache. This seems like a very real possibility.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has recently been spending money like it was his hobby and is apparently about to add Papa Boupa Diop - or 'The Wardrobe' as Fulham fans lovingly dubbed him (The Sunderland News). A fee of around £4m is said to be what it will take to secure Diop, a quality performer who would suit the Black Cats down to the ground as they battle to keep their Premier League place.

Middlesbrough have made an attempt to sign Portsmouth midfielder Gary O'Neil for £5m (Daily Mail). Seems like good business for Gareth Southgate, but is O'Neil really on his way out of Fratton Park?

Glen Johnson is set to complete a £3m move to Portsmouth from Chelsea (The Sun). Seems like a cheap price to pay for such potential, and at least Glen gets first-team football.