We bring you Transfer 'Talk of the Toon' today as it is widely reported that 'King Kev' Keegan will have the funds at his disposal to buy any player in the world at any price.

That was said to be the motivating factor in the discussions over Keegan returning to Newcastle and, after splashing £80 million in his last stint as United boss as well as over £44m at Manchester City - to win nothing - it had to be expected.

The names bandied about in the 'papers have been plucked out of thin air of course; but the mere mention of the likes of Didier Drogba, Ronaldinho and Kaka in black and white stripes must be enough to get the average Geordie ex-miner salivating into his cornflakes this morning.

More realistically the Keegan factor is said to have had Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jermain Defoe literally begging for moves to Tyneside.

Deco, Scott Brown, Daniel van Buyten and Wes Brown could also be set for a roller-coaster ride in the north-east, most probably on one like Oblivion at Alton Towers - straight downwards.

In real news meanwhile KK has told his players to expect changes at St James's and vowed to cull mercilessly anyone who bleats about it.

"If new players are coming in and you are worried about that then you should not be here," he may have fumed. "You should want good football players at this football club."

When Defoe leaves White Hart Lane - as surely he must after all the love we have given his name in these daily pages - the latest player to be strongly linked with replacing him is striker Alexander Kerzhakov, who Juande Ramos signed for Sevilla.

Tottenham have reportedly held secret meetings with his agent as the Russia international revealed that he is fed up with limited opportunities at the Sanchez Pizjuan and wants a move to another European country.

Spurs are also watching 17-year-old Uruguayan Abel Hernandez, a forward playing for Central Espanyol.

In news guaranteed to annoy Portsmouth fans and precipitate a slew of columns from irritated, self-righteous hacks, Lassana Diarra is eyeing a move away from Pompey - despite only joining yesterday!

"My choice of club could shock and surprise people," he said. "[Portsmouth] isn't Arsenal, it isn't Chelsea - but I know the Portsmouth manager, I know he is going to play me.

"Some are already saying that in going to Portsmouth, I am making a mistake regarding my chances with France. But I don't think so.

"I need to play. The people at Portsmouth know I will not spend my life at this club. If I shine, if a really big club wants me, I know already that everything will go well."

Harry Redknapp must be really happy with such sentiments after splashing out £5.5m on him. Maybe 'Arry should have joined 'big club' Newcastle after all.

In the short-term Portsmouth will let Djimi Traore leave for Ligue 1 club Rennes.

With Didier Drogba pining for a Chelsea exit, Stamford Bridge new boy Nicolas Anelka has warned him of the dangers of leaving and said he will try to convince the Ivorian to stay.

"When Dider comes back [from the African Cup of Nations] I will speak with him because he does not know as much as I do about leaving clubs and playing in different countries. I've done it a few times - and the Premier League is the best.

"I'll tell him to stay because he will not find anywhere else what he has in Chelsea. I sympathise with the way Didier is thinking about leaving, but he is a big star in England and at Chelsea and everyone loves him."

Aston Villa have been linked with a swoop for Man City's young defender Nedum Onuoha, rated at £6m and desperate for first-team football. Does that mean Olof Mellberg will be on his merry way? You decide. Pascal Chimbonda of Spurs is another name in the Villa Park frame.

In our daily Rolando Bianchi update, Lazio and Espanyol have joined the race with Torino; the Rome club have bidded highest at £6.5m.

Sunderland want Birmingham's Olivier Kapo, who joined from Juventus in the summer for £3m and has not featured a great deal under Alex McLeish.

West Ham and Fulham could make a move for Hertha Berlin striker Marko Pantelic, while Everton are keen on Barcelona misfit striker Santiago Ezquerro.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport