Avram Grant targets the big boys as he tries to save his job, while Benzema's United move looks unlikely...
AVRAM WANTS MESSI AND KAKA
Who? - Lionel Messi/Kaka
Where are they? - Barcelona/AC Milan
Who are they linked with? - Chelsea
Chelsea manager Avram Grant has suggested he will look to bring players of the calibre of Kaka and Lionel Messi to Stamford Bridge in the summer. The Israeli coach is reportedly set to be handed a massive war chest in the summer as he looks to make the Blues into the dominant force in the Premier League again. However, whether AC Milan and Barcelona are willing to part with Kaka and Messi respectively remains unclear despite the funds that will be available to Grant. "We need to do something. We want to be more consistent and of course I need players who can help with this," he told the Daily Star. "Will it take a flair player like Kaka or Messi? I will not reject that one of those names will be here. "Will they come? I think so, yes. This is a big club." Meanwhile, Grant has also admitted that he will look to alter Chelsea's style of play after coming under fire for a lack of flair since he replaced Jose Mourinho in the hot-seat. "It's not about how many players - it's about which player you can bring. We want a different style of football. If a player is good for this, we want to take him," he added. "I am already planning. We're speaking about it all the time for the long and short-term."
BENZEMA NOT JOINING UNITED
Who? - Karim Benzema
Where is he? - Lyon
Who is he linked with? - Man United
Manchester United's hopes of luring Karim Benzema away from Lyon appear to have been scuppered after the striker's agent claimed he will remain in France for at least another season. Benzema has been linked with a move to Old Trafford after impressing Sir Alex Ferguson during United's recent Champions League quarter-final success over Lyon. The 20-year-old France international is expected to star during this summer's European Championship, but agent Karim Djaziri claims his immediate future remains with the French champions. Benzema has also been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona after the Spanish club's sporting director Txiki Beguiristain travelled to France to see him in action. "He is not going to leave Lyon," Djaziri told Marca. "I know that there are a lot of interested clubs, but he is still young and wants to stay and gain more experience. "Next season he will continue to play for Lyon and then we shall see. "He does not want to leave and that is why we renewed his contract a few weeks ago. "There is no buy-out clause included as he does not want to move and Lyon do not want to sell."
VILLA LOVES ARSENAL
Who? - David Villa
Where is he? - Valencia
Who is he linked with? - Arsenal
Spanish international striker, David Villa, has fueled speculation that his future may lie at Highbury. The Valencia star covets a move to the Premiership and believes that Arsenal are the team for him. Villa said: "... the team I'm most attracted to is definitely Arsenal. Their brilliant one and two-touch football and the whole style of rapid counter-attack...is the one that suits my game best of all." Villa would cost a hefty 20 million, although with Eduardo on the sidelines until next year, Arsene Wenger may be forced to act.
SWP TO RETURN?
Who? - Shaun Wright-Phillips
Where is he? - Chelsea
Who is he linked with? - Manchester City
Shaun Wright-Phillips could be making a surprise return to Manchester City in the summer. The England star has struggled to hold down a regular starting place in the Chelsea side. Instead, Avram Grant has utilised the pace of Wright-Phillips late on in games as a substitute. 10 million could tempt Chelsea to sell a player they signed for almost double that fee three years ago from City. The player himself would accept the transfer, particularly after the rapturous reception he receives whenever he makes an appearance at Eastlands. The fact that City, thanks to the funds of Thaksin Shinawatra, can now match the big wages Wright-Phillips currently earns at Chelsea will no doubt further persuade the winger to agree terms.
RIISE GETS IN TOON?
Who? - John Arne Riise
Where is he? - Liverpool
Who is he linked with? - Newcastle United
Liverpool left-back, John Arne Riise, has not been offered a new deal at Anfield, which has sparked rumours of a move to Newcastle. The Norweigan has been left frustrated this season, playing second fiddle to the Brazilian, Fabio Aurelio, who Rafa Benitez has favoured in the left-back role. Kevin Keegan has made sorting out that position a main priority in the summer, having been less than impressed with current player, Jose Enrique. Money will not be a problem for Keegan, who has the full backing of multi-millionaire owner, Mike Ashley. A projected fee of 5 million would be enough to persuade Liverpool to sell their unsettled star, whose contract expires in 2009.
DAVIS WANTS TO STAY
Who? - Steven Davis
Where is he? - Fulham
Who is he linked with? - Rangers
Fulham midfielder Steven Davis looks likely to make a permanent move to Glasgow Rangers in the next transfer window. The Northern Ireland international has been on loan at Ibrox since January, having been surprisingly frozen out by Fulham. 23 year-old Davis has certainly made the most of the move, standing out in the Glaswegian side's UEFA Cup win at Sporting, and has impressed Rangers manager Walter Smith enough for him to consider a 3 million transfer. Davis has said he wants to wait until the end of the season to decide his future, although he did admit: "What I can say is that I will listen to Rangers first. If they are an option, then it's something I will consider." Blackburn and Middlesbrough are also monitoring the situation.
SO DOES SAMARAS
Who? - Georgios Samaras
Where is he? - Manchester City
Who is he linked with? - Celtic
Another Premier League player enjoying his time in Glasgow is Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras, who has ruled out a return to the club next season, with the Greece international currently on loan at Celtic. He commented: "All I know is I won't be going back to Manchester City. That is for sure. I don't want to go back there. After the summer we will sit round the table and see what happens. Staying at Celtic is my first choice, but only time will tell."
