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When League One team Peterborough United turned down a $4 million offer earlier this season from Norwich City, Craig Mackail-Smith took the blow on his chin and proceeded to a record haul of 35 goals for the Cambridgeshire club.

Now it seems that newly-promoted QPR, backed by billionaire owners, could offer a Premier League lifeline to the 27-year-old blond forward as the club looks to build a squad capable of remaining in the top flight.

With skipper Adel Taarabt and Alejandro Faurlin providing guile and skill in midfield, a forward who runs the channels and has an eye for goal could make a huge difference to the team's ability to turn chances into goals.

And the former non-league forward is now being courted by two other established Premier League clubs who require goalscorers on restricted transfer budgets, Everton and Wigan.

''I'd love to be in the Premier League next season, that would be a dream come true," Metro newspaper quotes him today.

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/864730-craig-mackail-smith-to-ignite-bidding-war-between-qpr-everton-and-wigan

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According to www.skysports.com, Ivory Coast and Lille star Gervinho, 24, will make an announcement this week on his future.

Fresh from spearheading his French club to the Ligue Un title, the dreadlocked forward has attracted a number of suitors from England, Germany and Spain.

''I love the Premier League, but I have interest from Germany and Spain also...during the week I'll announce my decision so that everyone knows''.

With Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp recently backing Russian forward Roman Pavlyuchenko to score goals for Spurs next season and £35 million burning the pockets of billionaire owner Mike Ashley, it now seems that Newcastle United are genuine contenders for Gervinho's signature.

His speed and goals could fire the Magpies to a top-six finish next season, particularly if French winger Hatem ben Arfa, injured for most of the season, can provide the ammunition from the left wing.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_6960817,00.html

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The Daily Star has today suggested that Aston Villa and England winger Stewart Downing could become the subject of an auction between Arsenal and Liverpool.

The 26-year-old, scorer of seven league goals, pipped teammate for club and country Ashley Young to the club's Player of the Season award and is enjoying a renaissance at Aston Villa despite the managerial uncertainty which has derailed the team's season.

However, with Ashley Young interesting Manchester United and veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel set for a move to Tottenham Hotspur, Downing has, according to an article run by The Guardian last week, rejected contract extension talks in a bid to secure a move to Anfield to join Kenny Dalglish.

''I am 26 and at a major crossroads in my career, so I won't be committing to a new deal at the moment,'' Downing reportedly stated.

And although Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger may also be interested in Downing, Liverpool's American owners may be in a better position to provide quick funds to their manager than Arsenal's shareholders who are in the midst of a power struggle.

A fee of $25-30 million would be enough to persuade Villa to part with the winger.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/193000/-15m-Stewart-Downing-battle/

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English tabloid newspaper The Sun claims this morning that Benfica left-back Fabio Coentrao, 23, has his heart set on a move to join compatriot Jose Mourinho's Galatico revolution in the white half of Madrid.

The Portuguese youngster, valued in the region of $30 million, is said to have drawn the attentions of Barcelona and Manchester United scouts also but his preferred destination is the Spanish capital:

''I know that Manchester United and Barcelona are interested in me...I can only hope that my dream of playing for Real Madrid can become a reality,'' said Coentrao.

With Benfica ending the 2010/2011 season without any honours, they will struggle to keep hold of a player who already has 12 caps for his country and 50 club appearances to his name, and should in time become one of the best full-backs in world football.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3608833/Benficas-Fabio-Coentrao-looks-set-to-snub-Manchester-United-in-favour-of-joining-Real-Madrid.html

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Madrid-based Spanish sports website www.marca.com is running an article today on the wish of former Liverpool and Internazional manager and Champions League winner Rafael Benitez to return to the Premier League.

It seems that Benitez has politely declined an opportunity to become Atletico Madrid's new manager. Given his roots and the prestige of Los Rojiblancos, this is a surprise in some quarters.

The man who presided over the ''Miracle of Istanbul,'' Liverpool's 2005 UEFA Champions League final victory over AC Milan, still resides in England and, despite being on holiday, has taken the time to make it known that the only league in which he wishes to work is the English top flight.

La Marca suggests that possible destinations include Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea but it is questionable whether hiring the Spaniard would be a step forward for either London club, despite their disappointment at ending the season trophyless.

http://www.marca.com/2011/05/31/futbol/equipos/atletico/1306827789.html