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Having failed in his bid to sign Craig Bellamy, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is still on the lookout for a disruptive influence to add to his dressing room.

To that end he's targeting Internazionale striker Adriano, according to The Sun. Adriano has fallen foul of his manager, Jose Mourinho, because - along with scoring goals - that's what he does best.

Redknapp flew out to see the Brazilian booze-hound score against Genoa in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday night, and is keen to bring the former Parma man to White Hart Lane on loan if a permanent deal cannot be reached before the transfer window closes.

Other reports have mooted the idea that Spurs left-back Gareth Bale could be involved as a makeweight in the deal. The Welshman has fallen behind Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the pecking order since Redknapp's arrival, and may relish the opportunity to add zero victories in Serie A to the winless record he has maintained so well in the Premier League.

The Daily Mail reveals that the man to replace Bale would be Leighton Baines, but Everton would rather play Philip Neville in midfield than Jermaine Jenas, who was offered in exchange.

Another Anglo-Italian swap deal that Redknapp had hoped for - exchanging hapless goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes for Milan's reserve shot-stopper Christian Abbiati - has also fallen through.

Born in Abbiategrasso, the veteran keeper joins an exclusive group of footballers whose names are similar to their place of birth, which also includes Stephen Ireland, Graham Lancashire , Flavio Roma and Stephen Ward, but doesn't include Alan Brazil, Dwight Yorke or Mark Venus.

Spurs may be signing an expensive liability by taking on Adriano, but it could pave the way for them to set local rivals Arsenal up for disappointment.

Inter are looking to steal in and beat the Gunners to the signature of Andrei Arshavin - a one-time Tottenham target.

Arsenal are reluctant to offer more than half of Zenit St Petersburg's £25 million valuation, and Mourinho would be more than happy to step in and outbid his former rival Arsene Wenger.

Wenger has also been told by Fulham boss Roy Hodgson that he will not get defender Brede Hangeland or midfielder Jimmy Bullard on the cheap.

Hodgson said: "You always worry that bigger clubs are out there. We have to deal with that. It would take something special for these players to move on and I hope that something special doesn't happen."

TT empathises with Hodgson, but warns him that something special usually happens when Bullard is around, whether it's saving the Cottagers from relegation, landing an 87lb carp or drinking club captain Danny Murphy under the table.

A decade ago Wigan Athletic were preparing themselves for a Football League Trophy tie against Scarborough - now they are THE form side in the Premier League. Who'd've thunk it?

Things aren't all rosy for the Latics, though. Club owner Dave Whelan is braced for the 'Lifestyle' arm of his JJB Sports empire to lose anything up to £10m this year.

As such, cash could become increasingly scarce for manager Steve Bruce, and he may be forced to cash in on Real Madrid's interest in winger Antonio Valencia.

Typically, Real are hoping to have their cake and eat it on the deal, as they want to bring the Ecuadorean to Spain in a part-exchange deal involving striker Javier Saviola, who previous manager Bernd Schuster made his first signing at the club, to much bewilderment.

A Real source said: "We must get this deal done as quickly as possible. Ramos needs a winger for the team. This week will be key to the negotiation," before contradicting himself by adding: "If we do not get Valencia now, then we will not buy anybody else."

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear had a meeting with the club's top brass brought forward due to what he sees as an urgent need for extra funds to be made available.

Kinnear said of the meeting: "It was called very hastily after I explained on Monday the difficult position we are in. I said that we need to act and quickly."

He continued by saying: "The chairman (Derek Llambias) was at home and I said 'No, you need to f****** come in. F****** come up tonight, we need to talk and get cracking, you ****" - but without the expletives.

Kinnear needn't worry about cash though; he'll have some to spend when Charles N'Zogbia finally makes his desired exit.

The latest club to enter the fray is Lyon, and N'Zogbia's agent Frank Peslerbe was busying himself talking up a transfer to Les Gones.

Peslerbe said: "Lyon have contacted us regarding Charles. The challenge of playing for them is attractive to him. They have a long-term project and play Champions League football year in, year out, which is something that Charles would fancy.

"It is an interesting option, but both clubs have to reach an agreement. Joining a more ambitious Premier League club could be the ideal scenario, but at the moment Lyon's interest is stronger than any other."

Tony Mabert / Eurosport