Weekend round up

The latest tittle-tattle from the gutter press regarding potential signings and departures in the current transfer window ...

Ins ...

Dario Decoud, agent for Fiorentina striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo has claimed that West Ham have been in touch with regard to a loan move. Decoud also claimed that Fulham are interested in landing his clients services during the transfer window. Fellow Serie A side Roma have also shown interest in the player.

Both West Ham and Fulham have also been mentioned in a story regarding the possible return to England for former Leeds and Everton midfielder Olivier Dacourt - although Bolton are said to be leading the race for the 34-year-old Inter star.

Today's Sunday Mirror have the Hammers keen on landing Arsenal youngster Nicklas Bendtner. The article claims that United will offer Matthew Upson in return having had an initial loan proposal rejected. The story also claims that Craig Bellamy is 'poised' to finalise a £15million switch to Manchester CIty this week, before going the whole hog and claiming additional Arsenal interest in both Mark Noble and Rob Green.

... and outs ...

Matthew Upson is in talks with Aston Villa over a proposed £10million move, according to today's News of the World. The paper also claim (in the same article, in fact) that the Hammers are holding out for £15million. Are Villa fans likely to welcome a former Birmingham City captain into their ranks with open arms?

Manchester City continue to be linked with Craig Bellamy (Daily Telegraph) although there is no news of a firm bid since last week's original £15million joint offer for the Welsh striker plus midfielder Scott Parker. Tottenham have also failed to renew their interest in recent days, with manager Harry Redknapp now apparently keener to unsettle, sorry, sign ex-Hammer Jermain Defoe from old club Portsmouth.

Meanwhile The Sun have Parker joining City along with Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz in a double switch worth £32million (£12million for Parker), whilst the Mirror continue with the Davenport-to-Bolton angle.

Also in the Sun, new Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is said to be interested in bringing Lucas Neill (see below for more) back to Ewood Park. The article claims that the Hammers are 'keen to be rid of his [Neill's] huge £60,000-a-week wages'.

The People are the only Sunday to claim that West Ham have rejected an £8million offer from Chelsea for Swiss international midfielder Valon Behrami. The paper adds that clubs were alerted to the potential availability of the 23-year-old after his agent, Alessandro Beltrami claimed that his client would be on the move at the end of the season.

Away from transfer news and the Daily Telegraph reports that sources from within the club have denied reports that owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is being forced to sell the club. No surprises there.

Finally, the currently-injured Lucas Neill has been spotted with the AC Milan squad who are currently holidaying in Dubai. Speculation as to why Neill was present at a training session yesterday - whilst his team mates were beating Barnsley 3-0 at the Boleyn Ground - is rife, but as of yet nobody has offered a viable explanation. However the suggestion that Milan are interested in signing the United club captain are thought to be about as wide of the mark as is possible.