Manchester United's 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic looks likely to pip Liverpool for the Premier League title and the Red Devils are also set beat their arch-rivals to the signature of Latic's winger Antonio Valencia, according to Thursday's newspapers.

Sir Alex Ferguson is leading the race to sign the £20million-rated Ecuadorian, who is also attracting interest from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Sources close to United told The Sun that the player wants to move to Old Trafford and Wigan boss Steve Bruce said: "It's inevitable Antonio will leave - but where he goes I'm not quite sure."

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who was yesterday linked with a revived bid for Valencia's David Silva, is consoling himself by preparing to splash out £15million to bring former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan to Anfield in the summer, according to the Daily Star.

The Atletico Madrid striker has scored 27 goals in La Liga this season and is closing in on his second pichichi, the top scorer award in Spain, only one goal behind Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o, who has netted 28 times.

Liverpool's ranks will not be depleted by the departure of midfielder Xabi Alonso, who has been linked with a host of top European clubs for the successive summers, as his agent has revealed the Spaniard is eager to stay at Anfield.

Ignacio Ibañez denied there had been any approaches for his client and told The Guardian: "I know nothing about these reports. As Xabi has always said, he is happy at Liverpool and focused on them."

Frustratingly frugal Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could also dip into the transfer market this season after billionaire shareholder Alisher Usmanov initiated proceedings to clear the club's debt - a result of building the Emirates Stadium - that has hamstrung the Gunners.

The Daily Telegraph report that the Russian is ready to suggest that Stan Kroenke and other stakeholders join him in making a commitment to tackle the £318m burden.

But that will not prevent the Gunners from flogging infuriating striker Emmanuel Adebayor to Chelsea for £10m in the transfer window, according to the Daily Mirror.

The Blues are set to part company with Didier Drogba should Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti take charge at Stamford Bridge as expected and Adebayor, who was linked with the Rossoneri last summer, is top of the Italian's wanted list.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko expects to remain at the club next season and claims he has been given assurances about his future at White Hart Lane.

The Independent claim that the Russian striker met with manager Harry Redknapp and then declared: "I am a Tottenham player and want to remain one."

The Daily Mail 'exclusively reveal' that Manchester City star Stephen Ireland is on the verge of signing a new £4million-a-year deal at Eastlands after he verbally agreed a double-your-money new contract worth £80,000-a-week.

And finally... The Times report that Adrian Boothroyd, Phil Parkinson and Gus Poyet are the favourites to replace Steve Coppell as reading manager.