The race is hotting up for Ajax star Klaas Jan Huntelaar. With Sir Alex not opting for Nicolas Anelka and the Dimitar Berbatov deal stalemated, Manchester United are now looking to the Dutchman for extra ammunition. However, it appears that Liverpool and Manchester City are also willing to put a huge bid for the prolific marksman (Algemeen Dagblad).

The Amsterdam club will want a big fee for their top scorer and a deal around the £27m mark might be needed, which is surely far too much! There is no doubting Huntelaar's talent, just this season he has netted 18 goals in as many games. But when you consider the level of opposition in the Eredivisie, such statistics seem less impressive.

Scouts have been watching the 24-year-old hitman's every move as he aims to make Ajax title challengers once again. In my opinion a more sensible price would be around £15m, and unless the Dutch club lower their valuation he won’t be going anywhere.

'Just this season Huntelaar has netted 18 goals in as many games. But when you consider the level of opposition in the Eredivisie, such statistics seem less impressive'


Juande Ramos is apparently closing in on former Chelsea midfielder Tiago. Juventus are said to be considering a £7.5m Tottenham bid for the Portuguese international and are expected to inform Spurs of their decision sometime soon (Corriere dello Sport).

Tiago, 26, is a quality player who could do a damn fine job in north London, having won three successive national titles, firstly under Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge and then at Lyon. His career has been stifled in Turin and it appears he is keen to return to the Premier League. I I was a Spurs fan, I would have my fingers crossed as this is the kind of signing that could be hugely beneficial to the White Hart Lane club.

Another player reportedly close to posing in a Spurs jersey is Sevilla striker Alexander Kerzhakov (Daily Star).
The Russian forward was a Ramos signing in Spain and Juande appears keen to land him once again - but apparently only after he has disposed of Jermain Defoe. This kind of contradicts other newspaper reports which suggest that Tottenham want to give Defoe another shot at life at Spurs. I just don’t know what to believe any more, although I think it’s safe to say that believing the Daily Star is never a wise option!

It has been claimed that Chelsea are set to beat Arsenal to the signing of hot Bulgarian teenager Niki Dimitrov (Sport 1) as well as nabbing his Levski Sofia strike partner Valeri Domovchiyski. Apparently Avram Grant is good friends with Levski assistant coach Emil Velev, and this has given the west London side the edge over the Gunners.

I haven't the foggiest about how good these young players are and admit I am not as knowledgeable about the Bulgarian leagues as I should be. However, it would be quite a coup if a) Chelsea didn’t fork out millions for a player and b) Stamford Bridge was considered before the Emirates by any young player, given the way Wenger gives his teenagers room to grow far more than most in the Premier League.