Cavani's move to Chelsea isn't useless, Porto slap £40m tag on United goal Mangala and Liverpool could beat City to Feyenoord wonderkid Kongolo

Cavani's move to Chelsea isn't useless, Porto slap £40m tag on United goal Mangala and Liverpool could beat City to Feyenoord wonderkid Kongolo

Porto will demand £40million for defender Eliaquim Mangala should Manchester United follow up their interest with a bid.
Manager David Moyes was in the stands at the Vicente Calderon Stadium on Wednesday night with Jimmy Lumsden and United's Andalucian-based scout as Atletico Madrid ensured Porto were knocked out of the Champions League.

Heading for England? Porto's Eliaquim Mangala was watched by David Moyes in the clash with Atletico Madrid

The lack of Champions League money will apply pressure to Porto to find funds elsewhere and Mangala and team mates Fernando, Jackson Martinez and Alex Sandro are the natural candidates.
Intermediaries are understood to have already enquired on behalf of Manchester City for Mangala but City are conscious of overspending particularly with financial fair play rules still to be maintained.
Bids will no doubt be made under the release clause of £40m but the 22-year-old French defender's release will still be expensive.
United have been busy this week scouring Europe as they head into a crucial part of the season. They were represented at Austria Vienna v Zenit and Benfica v Paris St Germain as they continue to weigh up targets for centre midfield, attack and defence.

Star turn: Mangala has impressed at centre back this season and has attracted some attention

Another target: Southampton's Luke Shaw has been hotly tipped to join Chelsea at some point

Southampton's Luke Shaw remains a candidate. Sportsmail reported last month that the 18-year-old is a target for Chelsea also as they weigh up replacements for Ashley Cole. Southampton do not want to sell in January and would prefer to keep him for another year but that may change in the summer should bids go beyond £25million.

Necessity: David Moyes knows he needs new recruits after a disappointing start to the season

 

Edinson Cavani could be a surprise departure from Paris St Germain in January. The Uruguayan is keen on a move to the Premier League despite making his move to France a relative success. Chelsea are maintaining interest following their failed bid to buy him in the summer while Manchester United will monitor developments. He wouldnt be cheap of course with PSG having spent £54.3million on the 26-year-old.

Lethal: Edinson Cavani has proved his worth since leaving Napoli for Paris Saint-Germain last summer

Edinson Cavani trains with PSG team-mates ahead of Benfica clash

 

The future of Everton striker Nikica Jelavic is continuing to occupy the thinking of Premier League and Championship clubs alike.
Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp is keen to take the Croatian if he can be convinced of stepping down a division ahead of the World Cup while West Ham, Crystal Palace, Hull, Stoke and Cardiff have all made enquiries.

In the balance: Nikica Jelavic is out of favour at Everton since the arrival of Romelu Lukaku

West Ham want to take him on loan but Everton won't contemplate that without getting a striker of their own in first.
Everton were among clubs present at Austria Vienna v Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday where Vienna striker Philipp Hosiner scored twice as they beat Zenit 4-1.

 

Liverpool have not given up the fight for Feyenoord's young midfielder Rodney Kongolo.
Manchester City were widely expected to have agreed a deal for the 16-year-old by now after leading the chase for the past six months. However, Liverpool remain in talks with the player's agent in a bid to sign him next month.
The sticking point for agreement is understood to have been wages, with the player's camp looking for around £6,000 per week.
Kongolo, who has two brothers, Holland U21 international defender Terence, 19, and nine year old academy prospect Fidel, is shaping up to become a top defensive midfielder with the physique to match. He can also play in defence and has drawn comparisons to Patrick Vieira.

Strengthening: Brendan Rodgers could pip Manchester City to the Feyenoord youngster Rodney Kongolo

KOLO sings the Kolo! Liverpool star's version of his OWN chant

City are on the trail of another youngster Keita Balde Diao who has already broken into Lazio's first team. Keita, 18, is a former Barcelona trainee who was sent out on loan from the club as punishment for putting an ice cube into another player's bed while on a trip to Qatar. He then scored 47 goals in one season for the club, Cornella.
A year later Lazio paid £270,000 for him and he is now attracting scouts from all of Europe's top sides again.

In the hunt: 18-year-old Keita Balde Diao is being tracked by Manchester City

Licence to thrill: Lazio starlet Keita celebrates after netting against Napoli earlier this month

Meanwhile, the agent of Swedish prospect Valmir Berisha admits a decision over the Halmstads striker's future will soon be made. The 17 year-old has offers from Manchester United, City, Liverpool, Sunderland and Arsenal.
Agent Anders Karlsson said: 'We have a priority list of clubs, we have full control of the situation. The arrival of new clubs is happening all the time. But the decision is close. How close? I cannot say for hours or days or so. But it can be done very soon, that's all I can say in the current situation.'

 

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor could be a target for Premier League rivals in the January window.
Taylor has not played since being sent off in the 4-0 defeat by Manchester City in August and also picked up a niggling injury. However, the 27-year-old is being considered as a possible loan option with Crystal Palace among clubs in the market for defenders.

Out of favour: Steven Taylor hasn't played for Newcastle since receiving a red card against Manchester City

Newcastle are in talks with clubs to try and sign a striker imminently. They have asked again about Stoke City target Luuk de Jong but are continuing to look at options in France and in Turkey.
Sporting Lisbon's Diego Capel is another possibility as they weigh up various wingers including Aiden McGeady at Spartak Moscow.

 

Chinese side Beijing Guoan are looking at Premier League players as they look to strengthen their league again in January. Although currently third in the CSL table behind Guanzhou Evergrande and Shandong Luneng, they are willing to offer deals of around £2million a year tax free for big names to make the switch to China and raise the league's profile.

 

Wigan manager Uwe Rosler is considering a bid to take George Saville on loan from Chelsea. The 20-year-old midfielder played for Rosler at Brentford where he is currently on loan but Chelsea like the idea of him playing at a higher level.

Rising star: George Saville (right) currently plays on loan from Chelsea at Brentford

 

Bournemouth assistant manager Jason Tindall was among spectators at Cobham training centre watching Chelsea U19s beat Steaua Bucharest 5-0 on Tuesday. Scottish striker Islam Feruz scored twice, John Swift, Alex Kiwomya and Ambrose Gnahore added the others.
Tindall is weighing up potential loan moves for next month with Chelsea keen for their young players to gain more experience. Former Fulham coach Billy McKinlay was also watching as he stays prepared ahead of his next coaching appointment.

 

Chelsea scouts were present at Marseille against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night. Local reports linked Chelsea with Florian Thauvin who Newcastle and Arsenal were keen on last year, however, Chelsea are maintaining interest in Marseille's Giannelli Imbula.
Defensive midfield is a position they want to strengthen as recognised by Rafa Benitez last year. Nemanja Matic of Benfica is their ideal recruit but Imbula, at 21, is a younger model and could be bought for around £5m to £8m less. Arsenal have also monitored his progress since he broke into Guingamp first team as a 17-year-old in 2009.
Fredy Guarin at Inter Milan has also been offered to Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United. Privately, David Moyes does not think Guarin is for him and is looking at other alternatives.

Highly rated: Marseille's Florian Thauvin (right) was watched by Chelsea's Jose Mourinho

Inter want a striker but are struggling to raise funds and are looking at various swaps and sales that could involve Guarin going the other way.
City's Edin Dzeko, Chelsea's Demba Ba, United's Javier Hernandez and Southampton's Pablo Osvaldo are all on their wish-list. They remain keen also on a loan for City's Stevan Jovetic but City are not so keen.

Hands up if you want me: Inter Milan star Fredy Guarin has been offered to a number of English clubs

Centre-back Andrea Ranocchia is another attractive option they are willing to sell for the right price as is Ishak Belfodil, their 6ft 3ins, 21-year-old Algerian striker, who has been offered to Fulham.
Fulham expect offers for Dimitar Berbatov although a return to Tottenham is unlikely considering his age at 32. Anderlecht are also keen on Fulham's Bryan Ruiz but may struggle to afford him.

Another option: Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia (left) could be up for grabs for the right price

 

Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given is in demand as he shakes off the rust at Middlesbrough. The Republic of Ireland international has impressed three games into his loan spell and that has brought attention from Swansea and Southampton as they look to strengthen their goalkeeping options following respective injuries to Michel Vorm and Artur Boruc.
Sunderland have spoken to QPR about Julio Cesar but he is also the subject of enquiries from elsewhere. Cesar's concern is that if he leaves he wants to play regularly as a number one.

In demand: Shay Given has impressed so far while at Middlesbrough

 

Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster is another being mentioned south of the border but The Scottish champions' asking price of £10m limits his options.

Attracting attention: England and Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster has dazzled this season

Fraser Forster pushing Joe Hart for England number one spot

WICKED WHISPER

Which Championship manager was turned away from a seaside resort bar renowned for its transvestite clientele?
Some of his players had already gone in to the bar as they looked to add some exotic variety to their night out but took great delight when door staff refused to allow their older boss through the doors - despite his protests. 

Swansea are taking a close look at Hungarian defender Akos Baki. The 19-year-old from MTK will train with the club during Hungary's winter break. He said: 'The English league is both physically and mentally perfect and professionally it is a huge step forward for me to work at a Premier League team.
'This gives you a good dose of self-confidence as well, as you know it will take a lot of talent for someone to be successful internationally.'

 

Cardiff City scout Tommy Johnson was at Celtic's game with Motherwell last Friday before watching Dundee United against Hearts. Cardiff want a striker, a midfielder and a left-back, however, Malky Mackay is not keen on a return for Joe Ledley despite the speculation. Dundee United's Ryan Gauld, John Souttar and Andy Robertson were watched again.

 

West Bromwich Albion are looking to raise funds by moving on some of their fringe players. Manager Steve Clarke is looking for a striker and a left-back but are understood to be willing to listen to offers for Markus Rosenberg, Nicolas Anelka, Diego Lugano and Graham Dorrans.

Fringe character: West Brom defender Diego Lugano could be on the move from the Midlands club

 

Accrington Stanley have confirmed that 16-year-old winger Connor Mahoney has joined Blackburn Rovers. Mahoney has made six appearances for Stanley this season and a compensation package has been agreed between the two teams under the terms of the Elite Player Performance Plan, understood to be around £100,000. Accrington may yet bring Mahoney back on loan.

 

Leeds have signed American Gboly Ariyibi, 18, formerly of Southampton, on a short-term deal until the end of the season. Manager Brian McDermott will hold talks with striker El Hadji Diouf over his future in the next few weeks.

 

Former Portsmouth striker James Keene has signed for Israel's Bnei Yehuda from Sweden's IF Elfsborg. The 27-year-old has signed an 18 month deal with Bnei Yehuda.