William Carvalho might already be a Premier League player had Manchester United made the mistake of giving David Moyes more time but Chelsea could finally bring the Portuguese to England.
A Bola claim the Blues have offered a whopping £35 million for the defensive midfielder, set for a regular role in the international team after Portugal's woeful World Cup.
José Mourinho boasts a formidable midfield axis in Nemanja Matić and Cesc Fàbregas, but with Ramires very much the marauding midfielder and John Obi Mikel, well, John Obi Mikel, Chelsea lack someone to protect their back four. Just wait for the Claude Makelele comparisons.
Carvalho was brought into the Portuguese side at the World Cup
Atlético Madrid are prone to telling transfer porkies, and president Enrique Cerezo says Borussia Dortmund winger Marco Reus rejected the chance to join United.
Manchester City have said Matija Nastasić can leave, which has interested a number of Premier League clubs, however the Serbian looks set to return to Italy and to Juventus.
Nastasić's performances under Roberto Mancini drew great admiration at City however the 21-year-old just played 20 games with Manuel Pellegrini in charge last season.
Empty feeling: Nastasić is not wanted at City anymore
His former teammate at City and Fiorentina, Stevan Jovetić, is a target for Roma, meanwhile.
Across town, Manchester United could be stuck with Marouane Fellaini, wanted by Napoli, after pictures emerged of him on crutches at Bridgewater Hospital.
Louis van Gaal initiated the Old Trafford cull on Tuesday when Nani returned to Sporting Lisbon in exchange for Marcos Rojo, with Anderson likely to follow if someone actually wants him.
One recognisable head sticking above the parapet
Helpfully for Van Gaal, new Crystal Palace manager Malky Mackay would like Wilfried Zaha back at Selhurst Park.
It is mystifying why anyone would want John Arne Riise after his performances for Fulham last season but the Norwegian claims the bad-cop-badder-cop duo of Paul Lambert and Roy Keane at Aston Villa want him.
Liverpool winger Jordan Ibe will head out on loan for a season, as he continues the obligatory professional footballer education test that is the Championship.