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Silly hats aside, Stephen Hunt has always had the air of a 'no nonsense' kind of guy.

The Reading midfielder was admirably candid about the rumoured interest in him from Sunderland that would see him make an immediate return to the Premier League following the Royals' relegation.

The Irishman said: "Every Reading player wants to play in the Premier League.

"It's a short career and fans would appreciate it more if players were more honest about these things. Supporters aren't stupid and it makes more sense if they know what's going on."

Sunderland winger Ross Wallace clearly has the same idea, as he has turned down a £1 million move to Preston North End .

Striker Angelos Charisteas has achieved his fair share during his own short career, including a Bundesliga title with Werder Bremen and the European Championship with Greece in 2004, scoring the winning goal in the final.

Now Ipswich Town are hoping that the 28-year-old can rub off some of that success on them as they launch a £2.5 million bid for the Nuremberg forward. You've got to admire the Tractor Boys' ambition.

Cardiff City are another side who are thinking big - just not quite as big - with their transfer plans, as they aim to bring Rangers striker Daniel Cousin to Ninian Park.

The problem is that when you think big, you generally have to spend big, and the Bluebirds are trying to swipe the Gabon international for just £1 million, while the UEFA Cup finalists want double that.

Coventry City are set to pay around £750,000 too much for Derby County defender Dean Leacock, as they launch a bid of - wait for it - £750,000.

Barnsley are looking more along the right lines, as they've snapped up fellow Rams 'defender' Darren Moore on a free transfer.

Meanwhile Crystal Palace, fresh off the back of signing Johannes Ertl and Darryl Flahavan, could soon turn Jose Fonte's loan from Benfica into a permanent deal.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport