SOMETHING TELLS ME we’ll be seeing a fair bit of Mark Hughes on television tomorrow.
There is less than 30 hours of the transfer window remaining and it looks like Queens Park Rangers are going into overdrive.
They have already been successful in bringing in Federico Macheda and defensive pair Taye Taiwo and Nedum Onuoha but more arrivals are imminent.
A loan deal for Mali international Samba Diakite was confirmed earlier today and the Nancy midfielder will arrive in London once his country’s involvement in the African Cup of Nations ends.
Next on the wishlist is a striker and although Hughes would relish the chance to work with Carlos Tevez again, a more realistic option is bringing Djibril Cisse back to the Premier League for a third spell.
The colourful Frenchman has been playing in Italy with Lazio this season but does have a soft spot for the Premier League, having had stints with Liverpool and Sunderland, and the signing of Keisuke Honda could pave the way for his departure.
Also on the radar are Sebastien Bassong and Hugo Rodellaga.
Chelsea are nearing the completion of a deal for Genk’s Kevin De Bruyne as he had a medical today but will loan the midfielder back to them for the remainder of the season. Another Belgian player, Eden Hazard, has admitted that he will leave Lille for England in the summer and the Londoners are favourites for his signature.
A little closer to home, they are also looking to the future and will bid €2m for Nottingham Forest teenager Patrick Bamford if reports are to be believed.
Everton (yes, Everton) are making a rare move in the market with a €6m bid for Nikica Jelavic of Glasgow Rangers. David Moyes has some cash to spend after selling Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to Spartak Moscow but the SPL side are holding out for another million or two for their star forward.
In some Irish-based gossip, midfield stalwart Keith Andrews wants out of Blackburn Rovers for good and has handed in a transfer request in the hope of joining Ipswich Town. Or anyone else.
Mick McCarthy, meanwhile, has had to scare off the vultures circling around Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle.
And last but not least, Alan Smith will link up with another former Manchester United midfield enforcer in Luke Chadwick when he joins MK Dons on loan from Newcastle.
