Talk of Carlo Ancelotti being the latest gaffer to take on the poisoned chalice of Chelsea is gathering apace. With Guus Hiddink being the elephant in the room, and one who has just delivered the club's best performance in years, it is already beginning to look, should the rumours be true, a difficult assignment for the Italian.

The Sun say that he'll be able to draw some comfort from the fact that Roman Abramovich will pay him £1m a trophy. We imagine there's a basic pay packet involved too. The Daily Star is also running this rumour.

Staying on Chelsea, Brazilian behemoth Alex has been linked in the Daily Mirror with Atletico Madrid. He's been playing well of late but it seems that the Blues may be ready to cash in.

Time for two stories that have, as they say in the trade, legs. First up: Gareth Barry. After last summer's saga the links with Liverpool continue. But Aston Villa are doing their darndest to retain their skipper's services say the Mirror.

And, the daddy of all rumours. Sir Alex has opened the door to Jose Mourinho taking over from him says The Sun. He's also had a swipe at Rafa.

Three Arsenal rumours to finish. First, Wenger to be offered new deal. So say The Times. Theo Walcott wants to stay too, say the Daily Mail.

And, as the transfer window is readied to creak open, The Sun links them with a costly £12m move for PSG defender Mamadou Sakho, a young man recommended some weeks back on Soccernet by our own Paul Marshall.