Not content with provoking Sir Alex Ferguson during the season and then failing to offer his congratulations to the Manchester United manager upon winning the Premier League title, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is set to further annoy his nemesis with an astonishing £50million swoop for Carlos Tevez.

Benitez's attempt to lure Gabriel Heinze to Anfield from Old Trafford ended with the lawyers being brought in to block the move but with on loan Tevez owned by Kia Joorabchian and not United, Ferguson will have little say in the transfer - unless he decides to sign up the Argentina striker himself.

According to The Sun Tottenham Hotspur were lining up a £18m move for the 25-year-old but were blown out of the bidding when the Tevez camp revealed Liverpool were ready to offer the £26m asking fee and a staggering £160,000-a-week three-year deal - worth £8.3m-a-year.

A source close to the deal told SunSport: "It seems amazing that Liverpool have the money to do this when you consider their owners are looking for funds."

Instead of chasing Tevez Spurs boss Harry Redknapp will lower his sights a little and concentrate on securing the signing of Sunderland forward Kenwyne Jones, according to The Guardian.

Jones, who scored his 11th goal of the season at Portsmouth on Monday, was a target in the mid-winter window but signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Black Cats at the end of January. Spurs' prospects of signing the Trinidad & Tobago forward may depend upon whether the Wearsiders are able to retain their Premier League status this weekend.

The Independent report that 'Arry is also interested in an audacious bid for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry as he looks to add the experience and leadership he believes Spurs have lacked this season.

Spurs hope that Liverpool's uncertain finances mean that they will be able to tempt Barry away from Aston Villa where he has one year left on his contract.

Meanwhile, Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari, whom Redknapp signed for £7m at Pompey then sold to Inter for £14m last year, will reject a summer move to Tottenham.

The 24-year-old helped the Italians retain the Serie A title this season and told the Daily Mail: "I'm not moving from Inter - I would be crazy to - I'm very, very happy here. I'm in a winning team, at a great club and I want to keep winning at Inter."

The annual 'Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid' transfer saga is in danger of being trumped this summer by the 'Arsene Wenger to Madrid' story that is slowly turning into an epic tale.

In Wednesday's chapter the Daily Star claim that Los Blancos are still hopeful of landing the Frenchman and have given Wenger until Thursday to decide.

Wenger held a summit meeting for over two hours with Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis and It now appears the 59-year-old is seriously considering ending his 12-year love affair with the north Londoners.

According to the Daily Mirror Wenger, who is being offered a measly £13m to strengthen his Arsenal squad in the summer, is tempted by the £100million-plus war-chest dangled in front of him by Real Madrid.

The Daily Express claim that Barcelona are preparing a £20million bid to take Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole to Camp Nou. The Champions League finalists, have already sounded out the Blues about England full-back and are ready to come back with a firm bid when the season ends.

And finally... Chelsea target Carlo Ancelotti plans to join AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini on the pitch after their final home game against Roma as he says goodbye to the Italian club before heading to the Premier League, according to The Times.