Gossip Talk: Transfer Window Rumors Around the EPL

News and notes from around the EPL on the eve of the January transfer window...  

London Bound?

With Chelsea having lost some of the swagger that brought so much success during the Jose Mourinho Era, owner Roman Abramovich will look to bring the magic back to Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window.

Of course, it also helps to have fat wads of cash to fill the needs.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant would certainly second that notion.

"I can guarantee you that any player we're interested in, the price will be suddenly more than we thought before," Grant said. "But what can we do?Nobody will volunteer to come for nothing. I will pay it."

That includes a rumored €90 million being offered for Internazionale right back Maicon and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovich. Such a move would certainly solidify any holes Chelsea may have, but Inter president Massimo Moratti has remained adamant that both players are "untouchable" at any price.

That leaves Bolton Wanderers striker Nicolas Anelka at the top of Grant's wish list. Chelsea need a striker to fill the void while Ivory Coast international Didier Drogba is away at the African Cup Of Nations, and Anelka would make for the ideal replacement.

Chelsea will have to shell out quite a bit if they want to pry the French talisman away from Bolton. But then again—has Abramovich ever been afraid to open up his wallet?

 

In and Out For Sven and Co.

Without wasting any time, Man City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson secured the signature of Shakhtar Donetsk's Mexican striker/winger Nery Castillo for loan when the transfer window opens on January 1st.

Eriksson is also be hoping that Croatian midfielder Luka Modric will be joining him from Dinamo Zagreb—albeit for a ridiculous £20m.

While Modric has denied any move away from Croatia, he should be careful. Opportunities to play for clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City don’t come around very often.

For that matter—any superstar could ill afford to let this opportunity slip away.

Tottenham right back Pascal Chimbonda has also been linked to City for an estimated £10 million. Sven has been known to be a keen admirer of the Frenchman since his days at Wigan Athletic.

Andreas Isaksson and Rolando Bianchi, meanwhile, are rumored to be unsettled and on their way out of Manchester.

After being shunned in favor of young goalkeeper Joe Hart, Isaksson has been exiled from Eriksson's starting 11. Turkish giants Galatasaray are rumored to be interested in the Swede's services.

Bianchi seems to be having trouble adapting to life in England, and will most likely be on his way out at season's end. After struggling to cement his place in the first team and being plagued by nagging injuries, the former Reggina hitman has hinted at returning to his native Italy.

 

Moyes Keeping Tabs on Vogel, Arshavin, and van Buyten

Needing depth to keep pace with the “Big Four,” Everton manager David Moyes could use the domestic and international experience of former Betis midfielder Johan Vogel.

Vogel would make for a solid acquisition for an Everton squad that will need to fill holes during the African Cup of Nations. Steven Piennar (South Africa), Joseph Yobo and Yakubu (Nigeria) will all be absent for some of Everton’s crucial domestic and Continental campaigns.

Speaking of depth, Everton have also expressed interest in Bayern Munich defender Daniel van Buyten. After Everton’s embarrassing defensive lapses against Arsenal, one can be assured that Moyes will be looking to bolster his backline.

Moyes also has his eyes on Russian international Andrei Arshavin of Zenit St. Petersburg. If the money is right, Arshavin could be lining up alongside  Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta.

 

Barnes Off to West Ham?

Paul Jewell was brought in to save Derby County from relegation in the Premier League. So far, he’s only managed to grow even more frustrated with his club for the way things are going.

To put it nicely, Derby aren’t faring all that well this season.

One of Jewell's main distractions is the rumor regarding the future of teenage superstar Giles Barnes. West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has shown significant interest in the wonderkid for several months now, and has reportedly offered Derby £5 million, according to English tabloids.

While Derby have remained firm in their position on keeping Barnes, it would not be surprising if he were to leave. Considering Derby’s financial woes, Jewell will need to make sure the price is right if he is to let his most prized possession go.

 

Berbatov Wants Out?

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has insisted that Dmitar Berbatov will be going nowhere when the transfer window opens up in January.

However, contrary to these statements, Berbatov’s agent has insisted that Spurs let go of the Bulgarian hitman so that he can look for greener pastures. It seems that Berbatov doesn’t believe the London club can match his level of ambition.

With the “Big Four” in the Premier League and continental giants such as Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Bayern Munich waiting to pounce on his signature, don’t be surprised if you find Berbatov sporting a different shirt by the end of January.