The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies…

Maicon to Chelsea
The tabloids have grown tired of linking every current AC Milan player - minus David Beckham - with a move to Chelsea should Carlo Ancelotti takes over. Instead, they have started identifying players at other Italian clubs, with 27-year-old Inter Milan’s right-back Maicon reportedly a £22 million target.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Maicon is one of the best right-backs in the world but with the Blues’ ageing squad in need of an overhaul, they can’t really afford to spend that much on a position where they have three options under the age of 26 (Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Mancienne).

Brede Hangeland to Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has identified Hangeland as the standout performer in the Fulham defence that have conceded less goals than Arsenal this season and is apparently willing to spend £15 million to add the 6ft 4in centre-back to his vertically-challenged back four.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: While the Norwegian has had a great season, we can’t remember the Professor ever spending eight figures on a defender and reports last weekend suggested he might not even have that much to spend.

Dean Ashton to Everton
With Jo heading back to Manchester City, David Moyes is supposedly eager to create the ultimate sicknote strikeforce by pairing Louis Saha with Ashton, who has started 24 league games in three seasons. Personally, we hope that Martin O’Neill renews his interest so that the tabloids become flooded with “Ashton Villa” headlines.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: The Mirror claim West Ham will listen to offers but they signed him to a five-year deal last summer and Gianfranco Zola claims to be eager to work with him so we’re not convinced.