Last January was an unusually active transfer window in the Premier League with plenty of business conducted by some of the top clubs. Liverpool landed Luis Suarez, but then lost Fernando Torres to Chelsea for £50million which prompted the sensational last-day purchase of Andy Carroll from Newcastle for £35m. But will there be similar drama this month?

1. Darren Bent – Aston Villa to Liverpool?

Liverpool (9/4 – Top 4 finish) are again in the hunt for a goalscorer with Suarez serving his eight-match ban and the aforementioned Carroll not looking like a man capable of replacing the Uruguayan and his goals. They have been linked with a big-money swoop for Bent, who himself only left Sunderland for Villa 12 months ago.

The Reds have certainly enquired about the England man but Villa steadfastly say he will not be sold. However, a bid over £15million could tempt the Midlanders and this one could have legs.

2. Cheik Tiote – Newcastle to Man City?

Despite signing a new long-term contract in February, the Ivory Coast star has attracted attention from all the top clubs following some outstanding displays for the Magpies (66/1 – Top 4 finish) this term.

The midfielder is now heading to the African Cup of Nations but speculation is growing that he will not be a Toon player when he returns.

Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and now City (4/9 Premier League outright) have all been linked with him and the latest reports suggest Roberto Mancini wants Tiote and is prepared to pay up to £25million for his services.

3. Jack Rodwell – Everton to Chelsea or Manchester United?

The Everton youngster has long been on the radar of United with boss Sir Alex Ferguson a confirmed admirer of the midfielder, who earned his first England cap at the end of last year.

David Moyes has constantly denied reports he is prepared to sell the starlet, but privately knows he could get something in the region of £15-20million for him – money he desperately needs to strengthen his threadbare squad.

The Toffees boss has admitted he may need to sell before he can buy and the thinking is Rodwell could be sacrificed for the greater good at Goodison Park and, with Chelsea (1/2 – Top 4 finish) also interested, a deal could well be on the cards this month.

4. Andrey Arshavin – Arsenal to Zenit St Petersburg or Galatasaray?

The Russian star, who moved to north London from Zenit St Petersburg in a £17.5million deal three years ago, has fallen out of favour at the Emirates and looks a pale shadow of the player he was when Arsene Wenger brought him to the club (Arsenal 11/8 – Top 4 finish).

Arshavin has struggled with form and injuries over the past year and Wenger is reportedly happy to let him go for £12million in order to fund other buys from elsewhere.

The return of Thierry Henry could also be seen as sign Arshavin’s exit is imminent and there will be plenty of interest in the forward should it emerge he is surplus to requirements.

Plenty of sides back in his homeland are keen, with a return to Zenit the most likely, while Turkish giants Galatasaray have also targeted the talented, but inconsistent, 30-year-old.

5. Chris Samba – Blackburn to Spurs?

Samba first handed in a transfer request a year ago but never got his move away and has been forced to stay at Ewood Park, watching as Rovers struggle under embattled boss Steve Kean.

He has plenty of admirers in the Premier League, with Arsenal interested last year, but now Spurs (10/1 Premier League outright) have emerged as the frontrunners for the DR Congo international.

Harry Redknapp has confirmed he is looking at luring the centre-back to White Hart Lane and Samba is said to be desperate to secure a move, with QPR and Chelsea also monitoring the situation.

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Chelsea

Reports have claimed that the 29-year-old Cole held talks with Ancelotti last week about his desire to leave the club.

The England left-back is reportedly keen to escape the media spotlight for his actions both on and off the field and is tempted to reunite with Jose Mourinho, who signed him for Chelsea in 2006.

The Portuguese tactician, who led Inter Milan to Champions League glory earlier this year, has taken up the reins at the Bernabeu and is believed to want the former Arsenal star, who is widely regarded as the best left-back in the world.

However, Ancelotti insists that Cole is going nowhere and that no amount of money will tempt him to sell.

“Ashley Cole will not be sold at any price,” said the Chelsea boss.

“There is no price that we would sell him at. We believe he is the best left-back in the world and because of this he will stay at this club.

“Nothing has changed in our position. Everyone can forget about Ashley Cole leaving this club.”

The Italian tactician has also dismissed the possibility of a move for Real playmaker Kaka, after reports suggested Mourinho wanted to offload the former World Player of the Year to help fund his revolution in the Spanish capital.

Kaka made the move in a £68.5million deal last summer but failed to hit the heights in his first season in Madrid under Manuel Pellegrini.

Ancelotti was at the helm at AC Milan when Kaka joined the club in 2003 and enjoyed a good working relationship before they both sought pastures new last year.

However, the Blues boss has played down the possibility of reuniting with the attacking midfielder at Stamford Bridge.

“Kaka cannot come to Chelsea,” Ancelotti told Sky Italia.

“He was one player of mine and has done so much for Milan, but now he belongs to Real Madrid and he will decide about his future along with his current club.

“Certainly neither I nor Chelsea will do it (decide his future).”

Ancelotti led the Blues to the League and FA Cup double in his debut season with the club and they are 12/1 to repeat the feat in the Chelsea Specials market, while they are 6/1 to win the one trophy that has so far eluded them, the Champions League, behind Barcelona at 7/2 and Real at 4/1.

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Green was selected ahead of David James and Joe Hart, and enjoyed a solid performance except for his one howler which ultimately cost the Three Lions all three points in their opening Group C game in Rustenburg.

The Hammers shot stopper recovered from his earlier mistake in the second half with a good save from USA striker Jozy Altidore’s shot.

Green was quick to come out and speak to the media after the game, stating that he can handle the criticism that will be coming his way after the huge error.

He said: “It’s not something you can allow to affect yourself.

“In the next 50 minutes, I felt confident, I felt fine.

“It’s about being steady and taking the rough with the smooth, but that’s life as a goalkeeper.

“I’ve been in this situation before and it’s about holding your head up high, facing you guys (the media), taking the flak which is going to come. That’s life,” he added.

England took an early lead in the match thanks to a goal from captain Steven Gerrard who slotted the ball home after a good pass from Aston Villa forward Emile Heskey.

The Liverpool midfielder backed his keeper after the game and is confident that the player will bounce back from the mistake.

He said: “It was one of those freak things, I don’t think you can criticise the keeper. People have been talking about the ball and it is tricky.

“Rob will learn from this and he might make an important save that wins us a match. We’re all behind him. It was a bit of shock and it took us a while to get over it.”

Fabio Capello now has to make a decision on whether Green will keep his place in the starting line up or to start James or Hart in the second game on Friday.

England (1/14 to qualify from Group C) will be looking towards their next game against Algeria and they could be without a couple of players through injury.

James Milner was brought off after 30 minutes during the USA match after the Aston Villa midfielder struggled on the left wing.

It is not certain whether the temperature that the player has suffered with got the better of him or if he struggled with the pace in the game after picking up a yellow card for a mistimed challenge.

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