Chelsea are finally ready to splash the cash according to today's tales from the tabloids. Roman Abramovich may finally have loosened the purse strings and the Daily Mail suggests that the Blues hope to sign AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo, Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero, which may cost more than that to these eyes.

A note of caution sounded by the Daily Telegraph who say that they may miss out on Ribery as well as their interest in Xabi Alonso, which comes as news to us here. Only Real Madrid have a prayer there, surely.

One way of funding such a spree is the link made with a potential £10m sale of Joe Cole to Tottenham, where the midfielder can link with Harry Redknapp, the man who gave him his debut at West Ham. That link is made in The Guardian.

Talking of reunions, the Patrick Vieira return to Arsenal looks on, if you read the Daily Express. The former Gunners captain will cost £750,000 from Inter Milan, who seem to want to sell.

Another continuing line is the lengthy chase for Joleon Lescott by Manchester City. £20m is the price they'll now pay though we at Soccernet hear that Everton are holding out for £30m. City have a back-up plan; called Sebastian Bassong. So say the Daily Mirror. Another Newcastle defender in Habib Beye is wanted by Hull City but they are not prepared to pay £4m, according to The Times.