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Liverpool fans might have to make their peace with a Manchester United cult hero if Rafa Benitez goes ahead with a move for Diego Forlan.

Despite never really being very good at Old Trafford, Forlan stole a piece of every United fan's heart when he was gifted two goals by Liverpool's Jerzy Dudek in 2002, an occasion commemorated by the chant: "He comes from Uruguay, he made the Scousers cry."

That match helped Forlan make the leap from dismal to mediocre, but he was let go at the start of the 2004/05 season and now plays like Gerd Muller in a blond wig.

Since leaving United, Forlan has embarked on an epic goals binge at Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, notching up seasonal Liga tallies of 25, 10, 19, 16 and 27.

His prolific form has all but erased memories of his respective goals totals at United of none, six, four and none, and Rafa Benitez is readying himself to make Forlan, who turns 30 on Tuesday, this summer's Robbie Keane.

Sebastien Bassong's lack of basic coordination earned him a red card against Fulham which might yet send Newcastle down.

Yet Alan Shearer is keen to secure the long-term services of a man who has spent the entire season getting damned with the faint praise of being 'Newcastle's best defender'.

Aston Villa are on the lookout for a new centre back following the disappointing news of Martin Laursen's retirement.

They might just have found their man in the shape of Ajax skipper Thomas Vermaelen, who will cost a whacking great £8m even though you have never heard of him.

No mention of Carlos Tevez from Gossip Shop today. Not because there is no speculation, but because he is shortly to be given his own section on this website to accommodate all the rumour, hearsay and outright lies.

Tevez is a strong frontrunner to provide the summer's most life-sapping saga, but Emmanuel Adebayor could run him close.

The mysterious 'slight groin strain' that meant the Arsenal striker did not even travel to Old Trafford on Saturday has intensified rumours he is on his way to Chelsea.

Atletico Madrid right-back Georgios Seitaridis is a very Sam Allardyce signing; he is unglamorous, he is good and he is free.

The Greek Euro 2004 winner could be joined at Blackburn by Derby's Tyrone Mears, who has been an unlikely success on loan at Marseille, while Rovers are expected to take up their £4m option to sign Gael Givet.

Wigan's Paul Scharner is a very Roy Hodgson signing. He is hard-working, he is versatile and he used to play in Scandinavia. He will cost Fulham £5m.

Stewart Downing is a very Martin O'Neill signing. He is young(ish), he is English, and he is probably not quite good enough to turn Aston Villa into a top-four outfit. Tottenham and Liverpool are also interested, with doomed Middlesbrough ready to sell to the highest bidder.

Manchester City have their eyes on everybody, as we know. Today we are focussing on Benfica duo Luisao, a centre-back and Oscar Cardozo, a striker. Benfica want £15m for the pair.

Sunderland want Slaven Bilic to be their manager. GS doesn't know how the Croatia boss will react to this news but there may be laughter.

Alex Chick / Eurosport