Mourinho keen on returning to Premiership club.

According to the Observer ...

"Jose Mourinho is growing increasingly restless in his search for a return to management and, after possible openings at Real Madrid and Barcelona failed to materialise, is monitoring the position of Rafa Benitez at Liverpool. If the Spaniard pays the price for failing to keep the Reds in serious contention for the Premier League title, then the former Chelsea boss would be interested in talking to the club's American owners.

There has been no approach to Mourinho by the Americans, but Hicks and Gillett are understood to be actively considering replacement managers and are well aware of the abilities of the Portuguese, who discussed becoming Liverpool manager before joining Chelsea in 2004. Asked last night to comment on the pair's interest in employing Mourinho, Hicks declined.

Mourinho's family were keen to live in London again when he was considering becoming England coach, although they do not hold the same enthusiasm about the wetter, colder and (in their view) less cosmopolitan North-West. 'Liverpool is not the same as London,' said a friend. 'But Liverpool is a big club and Jose loves English football. For now we have to wait.'

Mourinho had received indications that Real Madrid or, more likely, Barcelona would move for him during the Spanish league's winter break, but has been disappointed by Barcelona's continued faith in Frank Rijkaard and Bernd Schuster is still in place at Real. Mourinho has dismissed reports that he has agreed to take over from Carlo Ancelotti at AC Milan next season, issuing a strongly worded formal denial. He believes Milan will stick to their policy of appointing former players.

Mourinho would be interested in an approach from Bayern Munich, who are set to replace Ottmar Hitzfeld at the end of the season, and club president Franz Beckenbauer wrote in a recent newspaper column: 'Mourinho, why not? Our club needs a big name.' Mourinho's camp has interpreted these words as a clear statement of intent. However, the Portuguese would prefer a return to England and reports he is learning German are untrue.

Mourinho came close to accepting the England job in December, despite long-held plans not to move into international management until the latter stages of his career. At the time, Mourinho's assistants were so confident that he would take the post, ultimately filled by Fabio Capello, that they talked openly of being back in London by January and discussing where they would live.

There were several reasons for Mourinho's late change of plan. Senior FA figures are understood to have held reservations about his radical plans for creating a 'Club England' national team. The Portuguese wanted unprecedented control over support structures and involvement in the training regimes of Premier League clubs. Mourinho was also concerned about media intrusion into his private life, discussing this with the FA before withdrawing his candidacy. Though still an issue, it would not be such a great concern if he took the less public position of club manager.

Berti Vogts has admitted that his future as Nigeria coach is in doubt just two weeks before the start of the African Nations Cup. Vogts said delays in salary payments were making him consider quitting 12 months into his four-year contract. 'I love Africa, but I don't know how long I can put up with these problems,' the German said."

Transfers rumours.

Manchester United have slapped a £75m valuation on Cristiano Ronaldo in a bid to ward off the unwanted attentions of Spanish giants Real Madrid.

United, meanwhile, could hijack Tottenham's £8m move for Rangers full-back Alan Hutton. Newcastle, along with leading clubs on the continent, are also showing interest.

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has had an audacious bid for Blackburn's Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz rejected. He will now turn his attention to Vagner Love and Peter Crouch.

Bolton manager Gary Megson is closing in on Portsmouth utility player Matt Taylor.

Birmingham are keen to secure the services of occasional Man United midfielder Darren Fletcher and Spurs defender Anthony Gardner. The pair could cost £5m.

Seemingly disgruntled by his lack of opportunities at Upton Park, Dean Ashton could leave West Ham with Manchester City, Tottenham, Newcastle, Portsmouth and even Chelsea possibly interested.

Blackburn's Robbie Savage tops Derby manager Paul Jewell's transfer window wishlist. Other targets include Savage's team-mate Jason Roberts, along with Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson, Tottenham's Hossam Ghaly and former Newcastle star Lauren Robert.

Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly monitoring the situation of Javier Mascherano at Liverpool. Italian giants Juventus are also tracking the Argentine international, who Liverpool have still not secured on a permanent deal.

January transfer's rumours

Chelsea have agreed an £8.5m deal with Lokomotiv Moscow for Serbia international defender Branislav Ivanovic.

Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka is also set to move to Stamford Bridge for a £10m fee and Blues manager Avram Grant is considering making it a triple swoop by offering £26m for Tottenham forward Dimitar Berbatov.

Chelsea are set to make a double swoop for Sevilla defender Daniel Alves and Valencia striker David Villa, at a cost of £45m.

Derby and Fulham have joined the race to sign Blackburn midfielder Robbie Savage, who is also wanted by Sunderland.

Derby will sign former Newcastle winger Laurent Robert.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is preparing to offer former club Leicester £1m for 20-year-old defender Richard Stearman.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is set for a major clear-out at the club, releasing five players. Martin Taylor, Rowan Vine, Olivier Tebily, Neil Kilkenny and Neil Danns are all on their way out.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has his eye on Manchester City's out-of-favour Greece international striker Georgios Samaras.

Manchester United face competition from Barcelona for the signature of Bayern Munich left-back Philip Lahm.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is lining up a move for Espanyol's 20-year-old keeper Kiko Casilla. And German stopper Jens Lehmann is set to leave the Gunners to join Borussia Dortmund.

Derby manager Paul Jewell is set to sign Tottenham midfielder Hossam Ghaly on a loan deal.

AC Milan are confident they will capture Barcelona's Brazil superstar Ronaldinho in the summer, despite interest from Chelsea

More transfer rumours.

Manchester United contacted Tottenham about signing Dimitar Berbatov four weeks ago, but they are thought to want to sign him in the summer rather than now (Times).

Chelsea could hijack Manchester United's interest with a £26m offer for Berbatov (The Sun).

The Daily Mirror reckons that Barcelona are interested in Kasper Schmeichel as a back-up to Victor Valdes, after Jens Lehmann turned down the chance of swapping the Ashburton Grove bench for the Nou Camp one.

Reading's Kevin Doyle is a surprise name on Chelsea's January shopping list, along with Bolton's Nicolas Anelka (Independent).

Mark Hughes can't wait for Roy Keane to take moaning midfielder Robbie Savage out of Ewood Park - as soon as he meets his £1.75million valuation.

Richard Dunne will sign a new four-year £40,000-a-week deal with Manchester City this month to reflect his emergence as a top Premier League defender.

Chelski expect to land Nicolas Anelka in time to play in the FA Cup third round this weekend.

Everton boss David Moyes has made a move for unsettled Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra. Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is also keen on the 22-year-old, who only moved to the Emirates from Chelsea in August.

Manchester City are bracing themselves for a transfer asault from Inter Milan to prise Brazilian ace Elano away from Eastlands. Nerazzurri boss Roberto Mancini is ready to bid £11million to land the player.

Derby boss Paul Jewell is ready to sign Argentine striker Emanuel Villa for £2million.

Spurs are preparing a £4million raid for former Chelsea midfielder Maniche. Juande Ramos considers the 30-year-old the perfect playmaker for the Tottenham midfield.

Everton have attempted to ward off interest in Scotland striker James McFadden by offering him an improved deal. Birmingham and Celtic are both willing to pay around £3.5million for the 24-year-old hitman. Meanwhile Toffees boss David Moyes is ready to step up his bid to sign Bayern Munich's Belgian central defender Daniel van Buyten.