There Is Only One Sinnacle

photo credit: TottenhamFan

Birmingham are on the hunt for a striker with Tottenham’s Robbie Keane, Cardiff City’s Jay Bothroyd and Liverpool’s Ryan Babel high on the list. Manager Alex McLeish said: ‘We’re working actively to try and enhance the striking positions.” metro.co.uk

How many times will Ryan Babel have to reject Birmingham before the club and/or the press get the message?

Manchester United striker Federico Macheda is close to a loan move to Sampdoria. The 19-year-old Italian told Gazzetta dello Sport: “There are still a couple of faxes to be sent but sometime between Wednesday and Thursday I will be in Italy. Genoa is beautiful and I am happy.”

There are a lot worse places to play football than Genoa. Good move for Macheha.

Barcelona are lining up a move for Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri after failing to secure a deal for his Gunners team-mate Cesc Fabregas. IMScouting.com

I think Barcelona enjoys annoying Arsenal. With the two teams set to lock horns in the Champions League (Go Arsenal, can’t believe I said that.) look for Barcelona to be linked with Arsenal players daily.

Tottenham are targeting Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, with his club Ajax believed to be looking for a fee of £17m. the Independent

Arsenal signed Euro 2008 star Arshavin in the January transfer window. Can’t help but think signing World Cup star Suarez to Tottenham would have the same success.

Blackburn have now claimed they did make a £6.2m bid for AC Milan striker Ronaldinho – 24 hours after rubbishing reports they had tried to land the 30-year-old Brazilian. the Sun

Here I was thinking the Ronaldinho to Manchester City rumours of a couple years ago were sad.

Newcastle are keen on securing a loan deal for Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge as well as taking on Tottenham striker Robbie Keane. Daily Mail

Might as well say Newcastle are keen on spending as little money as possible.

Liverpool have identified Hamburg’s Dutch international winger Eljero Elia as the man to spark a Reds revival – with Ivory Coast forward Lacina Traore, Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge and Ajax forward Luis Suarez also targets. Daily Mirror

The 6 foot 8 Traore would be interesting to see how he mixes it up in the EPL.

Chelsea have been told that over £20m will be needed to tempt Bolton to offload their centre-back Gary Cahill. Daily Telegraph

This Chelsea team needs a shot in the arm but they aren’t exactly willing to throw money around either. In other words they are in a tough spot.

Everton will bid to bring Manchester United striker Michael Owen to Goodison Park. caughtoffside.com

It’s not like Owen could piss off Liverpool fans any more at this point anyway.

It appears Sampdoria have won the race to secure a loan deal for Manchester United’s Federico Macheda. The agent of the Italian striker, who moved to United from Lazio three years ago, told Sky Sport 24: “I hope to finish everything by tonight so the player will be available for Sunday. The only thing missing is the formalities.” (Press Association)

Macheda couldn’t go back to Lazio and Danny Welback aside every young striker Sir Alex sends on loan to an English club usually ends up rotting on the bench.

Blackburn have dismissed stories regarding a move for AC Milan’s Ronaldinho. The director of Venky’s, Rovers new owners, told the Lancashire Telegraph: “There is no interest at all, they are just rumours.”

I’m sure Ronaldinho would really love the nightlife playing in Blackburn would offer.

Not keen on a bidding war over striker Edin Dzeko, Real Madrid have turned their attentions to Manchester City’s Emmanuel Adebayor, according to Spanish newspaper Marca. insidefutbol.com

While Real Madrid are saying otherwise, with Gonzalo Higuaín out for the season they have to make a move for a striker.

Tottenham want to sign Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham in time to face his former club Manchester United on 16 January. The 35-year-old is available for a two-month loan period ahead of the start of the Major League Soccer season. Daily Mirror

I still don’t see the point of David Beckham playing for two months. He has nothing to prove to anyone.

Brazilian and Real Madrid midfielder Kaka could be heading to Manchester United in a loan deal with a permanent £50m move on the cards. Daily Star

I’ll wish Real Madrid luck getting Manchester United or any other club not named Manchester City to play 50 million for Kaka. Great player but that kind of money isn’t being thrown around.

Barcelona are busy preparing a £45m bid to take Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas to the Nou Camp in the summer. caughtoffside.com

Barcelona are busy talking about buying Cesc Fabregas like every transfer window maybe.

Arsenal striker Carlos Vela is wanted on loan by Bolton, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger keen on the Mexican star getting some Premier League games under his belt. Daily Mail

Vela future on loan or otherwise seems to be away from Arsenal.

Tottenham will let striker Robbie Keane, midfielder Niko Kranjcar and winger David Bentley leave the club but only if the trio fetch £29m in the transfer market. Daily Mirror

Good luck with that Tottenham. They be luck to get half of that amount for those three players.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti looks set for a busy transfer deadline day following his team’s poor run of form but he is not giving many clues about his targets. “I don’t want to speak about which names but we do need some new players,” said the man whose team are now six points behind the top two teams in the Premier League, Manchester United and Manchester City. the Sun

Poor Ancelotti, that’s all I can say.

The speculation on Roy Hodgson’s future as Liverpool manager rumbles on, with the American owners “actively examining suitable candidates”. Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish and Marseille boss Didier Deschamps are both being suggested as likely replacements. Daily Mail

Neither I’d like very much. If Louis Van Gaal is on the outs with Bayern Munich I’d make that call. Van Gaal would wear out his welcome in three years but his sides do play some nice football.