Man United and Liverpool track defender Juan Vargas

Fiorentina defender Juan Vargas will be the most popular man in Europe come the transfer window, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica. The 26-year-old Peruvian has been so impressive for the Viola this season that he has attracted the attention of, deep breath here, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Barcelona and both Inter and AC Milan. Vargas could go for around E20m, with real expected to be leading the chase...

Valencia, the sick man of La Liga with debts of almost half a billion euros, is finally admitting defeat in its attempts to keep hold of its prized trio, Davids Villa and Silva, and Juan Mata. The Daily Mail reports that the club may be forced to cash in on their assets thus: Manchester United and Chelsea lead the race for the 27-year-old striker Villa, who would cost upwards of £35m; Liverpool had pursued Silva in the summer, but Barcelona are likely to trump the Anfield club in the chase for the midfielder; and Mata, too, could find himself ending up at the Camp Nou...

The possible move of Gennaro 'Rino' Gattuso, the ultra-combative AC Milan midfielder, to Manchester City could be back on, according to the Daily Mirror, the newspaper that first broke the story and which seems to have a personal interest in keeping the transfer talk going. Gattuso, who has been sidelined through injury at the San Siro, said: "I am Rino Gattuso and I cannot wait for someone to get injured in order to play. I would be lying if I said that everything is OK. At this time I am not happy because of the injury and the fact that I am not being used much. I still feel strong and I am disappointed not to be able to prove it." City could initially take Gattuso, 32, on a loan deal as they look to shore up their suspect defence...

Harry Redknapp is ready to take advantage of Rangers' woes and swoop for their out-of-favour defender Madjid Bougherra. The Sun reports that Spurs will pay £4m for the Algerian international, to give the north Londoners cover for their notoriously injury prone back four (think Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate...). The 27-year-old was dropped by Rangers boss Walter Smith after returning to the Glasgow club late from an international game against Rwanda and the Scottish champions are happy to cash in on a player who they picked up from Charlton for £2.5m in the summer of 2008...

Nemanja Vidic has made many Manchester United fans' weeks by rebutting recent reports that he is actively looking to leave the Old Trafford outfit, possibly for a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona. “I am happy here. A new contract? It depends on the club. We will see what happens," the 28-year-old Serbian centre back said. "I don’t want to rush and speak about my future in the media. I will speak to the club. I don’t want to push the club. I don’t want to push anyone. I am here. I am happy. I think I have shown in the games that I want to be part of the team and to play every game 100 per cent.” Sir Alex Ferguson has lined up Palermo's Danish youngster Simon Kjaer as a replacement if Vidic does turn his back on the English champions...