Coventry's soon-to-be-completed takeover by the one-and-only Ray Ranson means that their transfer embargo may soon be lifted, allowing them to raid the January sales - and Jhon Viafara is on their hit-list.

Cov face competition from Sheffield United for the Colombia and Southampton man, who would cost £1m. Honestly - these clubs almost go out of business and the first thing they do is shell out a mil on some run of the mill midfielder.

Perhaps Transfer Talk is being unfair on Viafara, who has got three goals this season from the middle of the park, but unless hot-shot striker Michael Mifsud is sold for a few million surely is would benefit the Midlands club to be prudent, as least for a while?

The irony of that deal would be that it was a dispute with Saints in October that caused City's ban to be put in place, when they reneged on a payment for Leon Best. TT's wild guess is that this time they'll ask for the cash up front. Best himself may be sold to League One high-fliers Nottingham Forest for £600,000, whose initial £500,000 bid was rejected.

Bryan Robson's Blades are also trialling Iran midfielder Ali Reza of Perspolis, who would cost £700,000, while Norwich are bidding 800,000 for SUFC midfielder Chris Armstrong.

Southampton are expected to tie up a £1m move for Middlesbrough defender Andrew Davies after three months on loan. Davies was denied an FA Cup appearance at the weekend, fuelling speculation that a permanent deal was off.

Charlton are thinking about a £1m offer for Sunderland right-back Greg Halford after former loan signing Danny Mills joined Derby.

The Addicks' approach for Burnley's prolific striker Andy Gray has meanwhile been denied, although it depends on who you believe - other sources have claimed that a bid of £1.3m might swing it.

Crystal Palace prospect John Bostock has snubbed London neighbours Arsenal and Chelsea to remain under the tutelage of Neil Warnock - wouldn't you prefer Old Big Mouth to Weng? - while another capital club QPR are flashing the Formula One cash again, this time on a permanent £1m deal for Rowan Vine and potential move for River Plate midfielder Sebastian Rusculleda.

Sheffield Wednesday want Northern Ireland's Stuart Elliott from Hull for £100,000 and Plymouth have bagged Aberdeen defender Michael Hart for double that figure.

And to finish TT heads to the States - bringing you the massive news that Paul Dalglish, with Houston Dynamo for two years, is to trial with Ipswich. Jim Magilton is lowering his standards then after being rejected by Laurent Robert.

Also Stateside, Preston have failed with an 850,000 bid for American New England Revolution striker Taylor Twellman.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport