Premier League Transfer Gossip: Top 5 Rumours of the Day

The January transfer window represents the last-chance saloon for Premier League clubs—be they aiming at the stars, trying to stay out of the gutter or simply desperate to bolster an injury-hit squad before they start having to play 15-year-old trainees in the Champions League.

If the summer is where the really big money is spent, then perhaps January is where the smart money goes. Buy or loan the right player and it could be enough to seal the title. Leave it too late or make a bad call, and the Championship could be calling your club next season.

The rumor mill started turning on the day the summer window closed, and it's already spinning at a quite terrifying speed. Here are my five-a-day for Monday 28 November.

1. David Villa to Liverpool

As with all the really great rumours, this one has absolutely zero chance of happening.

The Sunday People reckon Liverpool are seriously interested in Barcelona striker David Villa—who they tried to sign when he left Valencia for the Camp Nou in 2010.

Let's look at the evidence. Villa has won a Champions League, and scored quite a lot goals, playing for the best team on the planet. Meanwhile Liverpool are not even in the Champions League, and are roughly the fourth- or fifth-best team in the Premier League.

Apparently Villa is unhappy at being "knocked down the pecking order" at Barca by the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas. That may well be so, but he's not that unhappy.

2. Tim Ream to West Brom or Bolton

West Brom have offered New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream a trial next month, according to the Daily Mirror.

The 24-year-old US international has also caught the eye of Bolton, and seems a good bet to be featuring in a relegation-threatened defence from January forward.

3. Kevin De Bruyne to Chelsea

Chelsea are reportedly still trying to thrash out a deal with Genk for 20-year-old Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian attacking midfielder is said to be keen on making the transfer happen in January, but the two clubs appear to be back and forth over the asking price.

Here's De Bruyne doing the business.

4. Rasmus Elm to Manchester United

Manchester United were yesterday linked to AZ Alkmaar midfielder Rasmus Elm.

The 23-year-old Swedish international was apparently seen as a summer target by United, but it's suggested here the long-term injury suffered by Anderson could tempt Sir Alex Ferguson to make a move in January.

Here's the man in action.

5. Roberto Soldado to Arsenal

Arsenal are being linked with a move for Valencia striker Roberto Soldado.

The 26-year-old has been scoring freely in La Liga and in the Champions League, and Arsene Wenger is apparently keen to "ease the burden on Robin van Persie."

It doesn't look like anything will happen until next summer, however, which could make the RVP point a moot one.