Turkish giants Galatasaray are scouting the Premier League for potential deals and have identified Liverpool’s misfit Ryan Babel and out-of-favour Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy as two possible targets. Having completed the deal for Australian defender Lucas Neill from Everton last week, Galatasaray are looking to buy some more Premier League talent and a big-name forward is at the top of their list. Both Babel and McCarthy are set to leave their clubs after falling out with their respective managers and the Turkish giants are ready to pounce.

According to The Daily Mail Galatasaray are set to make a move for £2.5 million rated McCarthy who has failed to impress at Ewood Park this season and has been criticised by manager Sam Allardyce and the Blakcburn fans for his lack of fitness. Blackburn’s valuation of 32 year old South African international has already put off West Ham, but with Galatasaray interested McCarthy is likely to jump at the chance for regular first team football ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

Liverpool’s Ryan Babel is also on Galatasaray’s radar and their sports director Haldun Ustundel is still in London and looking to secure another deal before heading back to Istanbul. The Times is reporting that the Turkish club are interested in Babel who is not exactly in Rafa Benitez’s good books following his outburst on Twitter and his poor performances this season. Liverpool may be keen to cash in on the young Dutchman as they look to acquire funds to make purchases of their own. However, Galatasaray are also said to be interested in Tottenham’s Giovani Dos Santos and Manchester City’s Jo as they look to complete their Premier League swoop this month.

Manchester United and Chelsea are set to do battle for the signature of Spanish starlet Sergio Canales as the youngster is set to decide his future in the coming days according to The Daily Mirror. Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti are both interested in Spain’s new superstar who is earning rave reviews for Racing Santander in La Liga. Canales’ contract runs out in the summer and therefore both United and Chelsea are free to speak to the 18 year old who is set to play for Spain in the World Cup in the summer and become a global star.

Sergio Canales’ father Angel who is also the youngster’s agent has been talking to both the Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge clubs about a potential transfer to the Premier League. United’s representatives met Angel in Spain at the weekend before Angel travelled to London to talk to Chelsea about a potential deal. Wages in the region of £50,000 have been reported but the Premier League duo will also have to fight off interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid who have made an £8 million bid that will see Canales return to Santander until the end of the 2010/11 season.

Sergio Canales is one of the hottest properties in European football right now having impressed in La Liga and led his team to recent victories with some eye-catching performances. Canales has already scored 5 times in 8 La Liga matches for Racing this season, including a brace against Sevilla and the winner at Valladolid. He has also represented Spain at youth levels up to the U19 national side and the attacking midfielder has had scores of scouts watching him in recent weeks. While Man United and Chelsea are both discussing a transfer in the summer, it is not out of the question that Canales will move in January if a firm bid is made by either Premier League outfit.

The Daily Mail is reporting that Middlesbrough are willing to let Gary O’Neil leave the Riverside Stadium to join Premier League outfit Stoke City in order to secure the funds to sign striker Leon Best from Coventry. Tony Pulis has made a bid in the region of £4 million for O’Neil, which would hand manager Gordon Strachan plenty of funds to in turn sign the £1 million rated Best from the Championship club.

Middlesbrough continue to struggle in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League and they look set to lose one of their most skilful players to the lure of the top flight. On the other hand Stoke continue to impress in the Premier League and manager Tony Pulis is looking to add to his squad this month. He has identified O’Neil as the man to fill the right midfield spot and has already made a firm bid for the 26 year old. O’Neil has struggled for form this season and Strachan may be tempted to let O’Neil leave the Riverside Stadium and use the money to strengthen his squad elsewhere.

Whilst O’Neill looks to be on his way out of Middlesbrough, the North East club are ready to cement their interest in Ireland international Leon Best who has been on top form at the Ricoh Arena this season. A £1 million bid has been mooted for the 23 year old, but Coventry will surely be looking to secure a larger sum for a striker who scored a stunning goal in the FA Cup against Portsmouth and has found the back of the net on regular occasion this campaign. Middlesbrough are also offering a trial to Argentine defender Norberto Paparatto who currently plays for Tigre as Strachan looks to further shake up his squad this month.

New West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold are planning a move to bring Fulham striker Bobby Zamora back to Upton Park according to The Daily Mirror. The two Davids have reportedly given West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola £15 million to spend on players in the January Transfer Window in a bid to keep the Hammers in the Premier League. However, the 29 year old forward has been in cracking form at Craven Cottage this season and Fulham boss Roy Hodgson will be keen to hang on to one of his most impressive performers.

David Sullivan is looking to make an immediate impact at West Ham and sees Barking-born Zamora as a player who can underline the club’s local roots. Zamora has scored 11 times for Fulham this season and there have even been reports that the striker isn’t far away from Fabio Capello’s squad in the run up to the 2010 World Cup. Zamora previously played for the Hammers between 2004 and 2008 and made over 150 appearances for the East End club and bagged 40 goals in the process. He left Upton Park in a £6.3 million deal that also included John Pantsil, but a return may appeal to Zamora who supported the Hammers when he was young.

The two stumbling blocks in a potential deal appear to be Hodgson’s reluctance to sell his in-form striker and Zamora’s lack of fitness. Zamora is currently out with a shoulder injury he sustained earlier in the month against Stoke, but he is set to the return in the near future. Sullivan has apparently identified Zamora as the striker he is looking to bring to Upton Park alongside a new right back and right midfielder. In other news West Ham’s sporting and technical director Gianluca Nani is set to be relieved of his duties at Upton Park.

Championship leaders Newcastle United have submitted two concrete bids for Manchester United’s Danny Simpson and Nottingham Forest’s James Perch according to Skysports.com and have had mixed success. A permanent deal for United’s previously on loan Simpson is said to be imminent, but Forest manager Billy Davies has described Newcastle’s bid for defender James Perch as ‘derisory’ and a move to their Championship rivals now looks unlikely.

Danny Simpson has impressed at St James’ Park this season, as the right back has looked at home in the Championship and has strongly contributed to the Toon’s impressive defensive record. The 23 year old returned to Old Trafford yesterday following his loan spell, but it looks as though he will soon be returning to Newcastle and is expected to undergo a medical today before signing a two and a half year deal. Manager Chris Hughton has continually expressed his desire to sign Simpson, who was terrorised by WBA’s Jerome Thomas on Monday night, and it looks as though he has finally got his man.

However, Newcastle’s move for Nottingham Forest’s Perch has been quickly rejected by their Championship rivals. The 24 year old has only recently returned from injury and Billy Davies is said to be unhappy with the way that Newcastle have conducted their business. Davies told the club’s official website that:

“Newcastle’s offer for someone we value so highly as a player and an individual was derisory and I’m disappointed it made it into the public domain. That’s not our way of doing business.”

So Hughton may be forced to delve into the January transfer window once more as he looks to ensure that Newcastle don’t fail in their bid to return to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will step up his efforts to sign a central defender in the January transfer window according to The Guardian and Portsmouth stopper Younes Kaboul and Palermo’s Simon Kjaer are both possible targets. Long-term fitness problems for Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate have forced Harry’s hand as he has been left with just Sebastien Bassong and Michael Dawson as his two fit centre backs, with even emergency cover in that position Tom Huddlestone also out. So a possible return to White Hart Lane could be in the offing for Kaboul, whilst Kjaer continues to attract interest from various Premier League clubs.

A concerned Redknapp told The Guardian that:

“If I’ve only got two centre-halves and Ledley’s long-term, it’s going to be a problem, we’ll have to look at it, for sure. Tom could play there but if he’s injured as well, that is the problem. Wilson Palacios could probably play there at a pinch but you wouldn’t want to go and play 16-17 games with him at centre-half so it’s something we’re looking at again.”

Younes Kaboul is likely to leave Portsmouth this month as the Fratton Park club continues to struggle financially and funds from player sales are desperately needed. Kaboul spent just one season at Tottenham after his £7 million move to White Hart Lane and it is thought that a similar fee would be required for Spurs to acquire his signature from Portsmouth. Another option is Danish youngster Simon Kjaer who has impressed in the Italian Serie A and has a number of potential suitors across European football. The 20 year old has an £11 million release clause at Palermo and he would represent a real coup for Spurs if they could sign him in the near future.

Today the morning’s newspapers were linking former Chelsea and Bolton forward Eidur Gudjohnsen with a return to the Premier League, with Tottenham, West Ham and Blackburn leading the chase for the experienced international. His father and agent Arnor Gudjohnsen is quoted in The Mirror saying that Eidur is “obviously seriously thinking about a return to England but he has not made any decision. It is in his hands.” So with three Premiership clubs offering Gudjohnsen a return to England, which club would Gudjohnsen jump at the chance to join and at which team would the Icelandic forward have the greatest impact?

The frontrunners for the signature of Eidur Gudjohnsen in the January transfer window appear to be Blackburn Rovers at this moment in time. The 31 year old left the Premier League for Barcelona back in 2006 and is currently contracted to Monaco until 2011 but has failed to settle in France. The Sun claims that Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has flown to France to open negotiations on a £2 million pound deal, which would seem to be a good bit of business for the Ewood Park club. Allardyce has worked with Gudjohnsen previously during his time at Bolton and the two would be keen to renew their relationship. The acquisition of an experienced Premiership forward would be a good coup for Blackburn, and with Benni McCarthy seemingly out of favour, a striker is on Allardyce’s shopping list and Gudjohnsen would seem to fit the bill perfectly.

The fact that Tottenham are being linked with Gudjohnsen is somewhat surprising given that they are challenging at the top end of the Premier League table and have a plethora of attacking talent at their disposal. With Jermain Defoe on fire, and Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane both battling for a starting spot, I cannot see Gudjohnsen getting a look in for a first team position. Gudjohnsen still has plenty to offer a Premier League club with his vision and skill on the ball, but given that his best days are behind him, Spurs are probably better off looking at other options. However, if Roman Pavlyuchenko leaves White Hart Lane as expected, then Harry Redknapp could be looking for a cheap option as a fourth striker, and Spurs could do worse than sign Eidur Gudjohnsen.

The third team linked with the Icelandic forward are Gianfranco Zola’s West Ham. The Hammers have a talented squad full of youthful players and Gudjohnsen would bring some much-needed experience to Upton Park and would become the ideal role model for West Ham’s youngsters to learn from. With West Ham strapped for cash, Gudjohnsen represents value for money and would fit in well with the Hammers’ free-flowing style of play. The one draw back is that West Ham are in a relegation dog-fight in the Premier League and need points fast, and it would take some time for Gudjohnsen to get up to speed as the Icelandic forward hasn’t scored this season and was dropped by Monaco before Christmas. So is Gudjohnsen worth the risk for Zola?

If as reported Blackburn, Tottenham and West Ham all submit offers for Gudjohnsen, then the 31 year old will have a difficult decision to make. However, the ageing forward would be seen as a back-up player at best at Spurs and may represent too big a risk for West Ham, so the Icelandic international may only have one real option on the table. Blackburn Rovers and Eidur Gudjohnsen seem to be the perfect match, as Blackburn need striking options and Gudjohnsen needs first-team football, so will an Allardyce-Gudjohnsen reunion be on the cards in the near future?

The financial problems facing Portsmouth are common knowledge and it is almost certain that manager Avram Grant will have to offload some of his highest valued players in January to get some money in the bank, with Tottenham, Fulham and Blackburn all ready to profit. Administration is still a real possibility, so Pompey will be forced to make a high quantity of quick sales and that means that some bargains may be available for the rest of the Premier League. One team’s loss is another team’s gain, and there will be much interest for players such as Nadir Belhadj, Younes Kaboul and David James. But which Premiership clubs will pounce in the transfer window?

Tottenham appear to be frontrunners for a couple of Portsmouth’s star players, with Harry Redknapp taking a fancy to both Nadir Belhadj and David James. Belhadj has been one of Pompey’s stand out performers this season and the quick full back is said to be unsettled at Fratton Park. The Algerian is looking for a move ahead of the World Cup, but Spurs may not be the ideal destination for him as he is only likely to be a backup to first choice left back Benoit Assou-Ekotto. This has left the door for Blackburn to step in and sign Belhadj when he returns from the African Cup of Nations.

A move for James is also only 50-50 at best, despite James himself saying in The Guardian that “it would be good for my England chances to join an upwardly mobile club.” The exit of an ageing James wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for Pompey either, as Asmir Begovic has deputised with distinction. However, Redknapp doesn’t want to unsettle Heurelho Gomes who has been in excellent form this season, and therefore James would similarly only be a number two at White Hart Lane.

The connection with Tottenham doesn’t end there either, as Jamie O’Hara’s loan deal with Pompey is looking like it isn’t going to be extended, so a loan move to another Premier League club may be in the offing. O’Hara would attract much attention in England as he is a talented player and almost half the Premiership have been linked with O’Hara, but it is Roy Hodgson’s Fulham who have emerged as the frontrunners for the versatile midfielder.

Another Portsmouth loan deal that may end in January is that of striker Frederic Piquionne. Everton are eyeing the French international up as a replacement for Jo, but once again there are plenty of interested Premier League parties. Piquionne himself is happy in England, saying that “I am on loan but I really hope to stay in England. Now the idea is to impress, attract an English club,” so a stay in England might be on the cards. Recent news from his agent is that he will stay at Fratton Park until the end of the season, as will Kevin-Prince Boateng who has been stopped by FIFA from playing for a third club in one season and was regarded as too pricey by Blackburn anyway.

Finally former Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul has also been linked with a January exit from Fratton Park, with Manchester City’s new manager Roberto Mancini rumoured to have taken an interest. City are looking to strengthen their defence in January and Kaboul has been identified as a possible acquisition. But Lyon now appear to be in pole position to sign Kaboul, whilst fellow Ligue 1 club Souchaux are looking to pick up John Utaka on the cheap.

Portsmouth fans will be fearing the worst this month, but needs must and they have to offload players to keep the club afloat as their players continue to play without being paid. So who can Portsmouth hang on to, and which players will be poached by their fellow Premier League rivals?

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Unsurprisingly Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford has a whole host of clubs chasing him in the January transfer window due to his impressive scoring record in League 1 this season, as well as his winning goal against Manchester United in the FA Cup. Newcastle are the club who have been most heavily linked with the striker, but the Championship outfit are likely to face some stiff competition for Beckford and Leeds will not let go of him without a fight either. In the Premier League, Aston Villa, Fulham and Birmingham are all said to be interested, so which club will Beckford be playing for in February?

When the transfer window slams shut at the end of January, Beckford could still be a Leeds player despite the massive interest that he is attracting. Leeds have no obligation to sell him, although if Beckford gives an indication that he is unwilling to sign a new contract, then it may be best to cash in on the striker now rather than lose him for nothing when his contract expires in the summer. Leeds manager Simon Grayson told The Daily Star that “we are not looking to sell Jermaine but money talks with any player,” and a bid of over £2 million may be enough to prize him away from Elland Road. As far as Beckford himself may be concerned, staying at Leeds may be his best option as they are a club most definitely on the up and Premier League football might not be that far away, but a move must be tempting for the 26 year old.

Newcastle are the club who have shown the greatest interest in signing Beckford in the near future and he would be a great addition to their squad. He would provide some stiff competition for Shola Ameobi, Andy Carroll and Nile Ranger, and bring a bit of pace and a different option to what they already have. It is hardly a secret that the Magpies are looking to sign Beckford either, with manager Chris Hughton telling Sky Sports that “he’s one of a few players we are interested in.” Although he would have to fight for his place, Beckford would have a good chance of going straight into the first team at St James’ Park, which cannot necessarily be said if he moved elsewhere. Newcastle remain odds on favourites to be Beckford’s next club, and I think it would be a move that would be good for both player and club.

If Beckford doesn’t stay at Leeds but doesn’t sign for Newcastle, then it is anyone’s guess as to where he may end up. Aston Villa have emerged as surprise second favourites, while Birmingham and Fulham have all also been credited with an interest. Martin O’Neill has a preference for signing British players and Beckford could well fit in well at Villa Park, with Emile Heskey possibly leaving in the near future. Fulham’s interest could well strengthen in the coming days as well, as an injury to Bobby Zamora leaves them short up front, and Beckford could learn a thing or two under the guidance of one of the best managers in the Premier League in Roy Hodgson. Finally Birmingham have plenty of cash to spend and are in need of another striker, and McLeish could do a lot worse than look in Beckford’s direction.

So where will Beckford end up at the end of the month? It could be any of the above clubs or even someone I haven’t mentioned, such as Bolton, Stoke or Sunderland. Newcastle have realised that they have to move fast before interest from the Premier League strengthens and are in pole position for his signature. But a stay at Leeds isn’t out of the question, as Beckford faces a difficult and important decision in the coming weeks. Where do you think Jermaine Beckford will end up?

News of a potential swap deal involving Tottenham and Sunderland in the transfer window continues to arise as Harry Redknapp and Steve Bruce look to strengthen their squads going into the second half of the Premier League season. Two teams who are suffering different fortunes of late, Spurs and the Black Cats seem to both be taking a fancy to each others players. Whether it is Tottenham’s David Bentley and Alan Hutton, or Sunderland’s Kenwyne Jones and Anton Ferdinand, rumours about potential deal between the two clubs are rife. But who would a swap deal benefit most, and is there any real chance of both clubs getting what they want?

From Tottenham’s point of view it is largely a case of looking to offload some of their fringe players and bring in some real quality replacements. The potential capture of Kenwyne Jones would be a real coup for Spurs providing that they get rid of Roman Pavlyuchenko and have a need for a fourth striker. Jones has the ability to become a top Premier League striker and would provide some competition for Peter Crouch, something the expensive Russian isn’t doing right now. At the right price Jones would be a decent addition for Redknapp, but surely Anton Ferdinand would bring nothing to White Hart Lane. Spurs have an abundance of defensive talent and despite injuries their centre back positions still look strong. Whilst Ferdinand has been linked with a move to Spurs, Michael Dawson has been mooted as possibly going the other way, but that has to be a no-brainer doesn’t it?

Michael Dawson has been showing some of his best form at Tottenham this season and he finally looks to have cemented his place in the team and an England place may even be on the horizon. So Redknapp has no reason to want to part with Dawson, but he wouldn’t think twice about selling David Bentley. Bentley is in the wilderness at Spurs and his Tottenham career appears to be over, so it is vital that the midfielder moves on to pastures new. The question is whether Bentley could possibly shine under Bruce and whether it is a gamble worth taking as far as Sunderland are concerned. The Black Cats definitely need a spark and Bentley could well be the man to provide it, but Spurs may prefer to use him in a potential swap with Atletico Madrid’s Maxi Rodriguez instead.

The transfer of Alan Hutton would be a good bit of business for both clubs, as the Scottish fullback would bring in some money for Spurs and provide some good competition for places at the Stadium of Light. Elsewhere a relatively new name being mentioned this week is that of Jamie O’Hara, as Portsmouth’s financial problems mean that Pompey may be blocked from extending his loan at Fratton Park. If Sunderland were to step in, Redknapp wouldn’t be thrilled to see O’Hara leave Spurs permanently, but he could be used as a bargaining chip in a potential deal for Jones. Finally Robbie Keane has been mentioned as a possible makeweight in a deal, but this appears to be a non-starter as it is extremely unlikely that the Irishman will leave White Hart Lane in the near future.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see some business between Tottenham and Sunderland this month, but it remains to be seen which players will be involved. The most likely deal would see Kenwyne Jones join Spurs provided that Pavlyuchenko is offloaded beforehand, with Alan Hutton and David Bentley moving in the opposite direction. This deal would seem to be good for both clubs and the players themselves, but what transfer dealings would you like to see happen between Spurs and Sunderland in the transfer window?