Emmanuel Adebayor's move to Manchester City is stalling as the Togo man has the cheek to wait for a move to Chelsea. Having been given a work permit, and agreed a fee, now the striker wants to see if the Blues fancy offering him some European football - and the Citizens won't be happy with that.

The Times reckon that the deal will still be discussed over the weekend, but City have shown with Samuel Eto'o that they are not willing to wait around for someone to make up their mind.

Adebayor is really not making any friends as the Daily Mirror report that the wants a 'loyalty' payment of £2m because he did not hand in a transfer request, before he moves. For a player whose lack of commitment soured his relationship with the Gunners fans, it's an amazing move. But not, in these modern times, unbelievable.

Liverpool meanwhile, in the same paper, are set to step up their move for David Villa. He'd be a cracking addition alongside fellow Spaniard Fernando Torres, but the Reds would have to beat Barcelona's 42m euros bid - which was rejected - and get closer to 50m.

From the top to the bottom, as Portsmouth continue to hemorrhage players. Peter Crouch is closing on a move to Fulham or Sunderland for a cool £12m, the Daily Star say that he'll make up his mind over the weekend. But there are reports that Jermain Defoe has told Harry Redknapp that he wants to be reunited with the tall striker - which 'Arry was quite keen to do himself anyway.

The Independent say that Sylvain Distin will be next out of the Fratton Park door. Aston Villa are set to pounce with a £3m bid and Leeds United's Fabian Delph could follow as they have made a £4m take-it-or-leave-it offer.

Tottenham could lose a few players themselves though, as the Times report that Pascal Chimbonda could be on his way to Blackburn and Sunderland have also made an enquiry about defender Alan Hutton.

Rounding up some of the rest of the gossip is the Daily Star. Stoke midfielder Seyi Olifinjana is in talks to join French club Monaco. Portsmouth might actually sign a player as Zimbabwe left-back Onismor Bhasera is on trial; Wolves are will beat Celtic and Wigan to the signature of Hamilton midfielder James McCarthy. Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McMahon is confident he will complete his takeover of Newcastle in the next few days as part of a consortium. And new Southampton boss Alan Pardew will offer new deals to strikers Jason Euell and Stern John.

And finally, Hull boss Phil Brown has not won over many fans with his transfer policy. £5m on crocked Jimmy Bullard and now the Sun claim that he is ready to put £3m towards offering Joey Barton a way out of Newcastle. Given Brown's previous battles with Dean Windass for his off the pitch antics, it doesn't seem a good move. And they might have been tipped off by the fact that the Toon are willing to pay part of his wages to get him off the club's squad list.