Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is reportedly preparing to make an offer of £3 million for Wigan's Emile Heskey.
The England striker's deal at the JJB Stadium runs out at the end of this season and Villa, Tottenham and Liverpool are all said to be monitoring his situation.
O'Neill is hopeful his time in charge of the former Liverpool forward at Leicester will give him the edge over the rivals for Heskey's signature.
"I am sure Emile Heskey will not be short of offers," O'Neill said.
"That is what happens when players run into the last six months of their contracts. They decide what is going to happen."
Balotelli not for sale, says Moratti
Inter president Massimo Moratti has reacted to reports linking Mario Balotelli with a move elsewhere by insisting that the striker is not for sale.
The 18-year-old has been associated with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea in the January transfer window. However, the Serie A leaders are determined to hold on to the Italy Under-21 star.
"Balotelli is not for sale," said Moratti. "He is one of our players and will remain at the club."
Balotelli, who is under contract with Inter until 2011, has made just three league starts with Jose Mourinho's side this campaign.
Napoli boss warns Lavezzi agent
Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has told Ezequiel Lavezzi's agent to withdraw his contract demands amid mounting speculation that Chelsea are interested in the Argentine forward.
"Lavezzi will remain with us until 2013 and then we will see," said De Laurentiis.
The club supremo has warned he will not change his salary policy for any of his players, including Lavezzi.
"Whoever is on my side is fine," said De Laurentiis. "Those who are not can go to England.
"I will find another 10 players like them."
Fabregas admits Milan appeal
Milan would be the first option for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas if the Spanish midfielder were to move to Italy.
Reports in Italy suggest that Fabregas is a top target for a number of Serie A sides, including Juventus and Milan.
"If I were to come to Italy, I would choose Milan without a doubt," Fabregas told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"In my opinion, the Rossoneri are the side that play the best football in Italy.
"There are so many strong sides in Italy - Inter, Juventus and Roma, for example - but they seem to rely too much on their star names.
"Milan's strength is based on the unit."
Huntelaar not tempted by City offer
Klaas Jan Huntelaar (picture) has said he shrugged off interest from Manchester City in the summer but could have been tempted by an approach from rivals United.
The Dutch striker will join Real Madrid in January after agreeing a contract with the Spanish champions until 2013. He was presented to the fans yesterday after passing a medical.
Huntelaar, who was regularly linked with City's local rivals United, has suggested Mark Hughes' side were not a club he was keen to join.
"There was interest in the summer, but these weren't the clubs we had thought about," said Huntelaar.
"Manchester City didn't meet our criteria. Manchester United? Maybe that would have been another story!"
Celtic hand trials to Czech duo
Celtic are set to face competition from Milan for two highly-rated Czech youngsters. The Scottish champions have given trials to FK Pribram duo Anton Fantis and Milan Misun who will train at Celtic's Lennoxtown training HQ this week.
However, Milan have also been monitoring the progress of 16-year-old striker Fantis and 18-year-old defender Misun.
"The players have been observed by scouts of Celtic and Milan - and Celtic decided to invite them for a short-term attachment," agent Ondrej Chovanec said.
"But we expect Milan will soon invite them to spend a short spell at their club."
Muntari wants Essien at Inter
Inter midfielder Sulley Muntari is keen to have Chelsea stalwart Michael Essien as his team-mate at the San Siro.
Essien, who is a close friend and international team-mate of Muntari, encouraged the former Portsmouth midfielder to accept a move to Inter last summer.
"Essien is like a brother to me," Muntari told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "When Inter made it known that they were interested, Michael called me up and told me I should agree to the move without any doubt because Jose Mourinho is a great coach.
"I already enjoy playing alongside Essien in the national side and hopefully he will move here too."