Everton keeper Tim Howard has displayed a remarkable awareness of the world he plays in - money talks and if Everton are to break into that exclusive club of four, they need to splash a bit of cash.

The USA shotstopper wants the Goodison board to provide manager David Moyes with the funds to bring in players who are good enough to secure Champions League football in future campaigns.

He said: "Nobody wants to be the one to say it but I will - the way football is at the moment you need money.

"We have had a generous chairman who has given us money. Andy Johnson broke the record, Yakubu broke the record and we have to keep doing that if we are to stay up with the teams that are spending that money.

"It's a sad truth that nobody wants to say but if you look around the world the teams who are at the top aren't the poor ones. We have a good team and a good squad so if we keep building on that we will have quality.

"If we have more depth we will be all right - we can challenge. We finished fifth this year so fourth is the next logical step."

Villarreal have ruled out making a bid to sign veteran Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell during the summer transfer window.

Pompey recently dismissed as 'nonsense' reports that the centre-half would be allowed to leave Fratton Park. And the FA Cup winners are now set for a peaceful summer after Villarreal confirmed they are no longer looking to sign a new defender.

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry's proposed move to Liverpool should go through, according to the man who discovered him as a youth.

Les Rogers unearthed Hastings-born Barry at Brighton's Centre of Excellence in the early 1990s before the midfielder made the switch to Villa.

He said: "Martin O'Neill has been a brilliant manager for Gareth and Villa have really looked after him. He would miss playing at Aston Villa. But the opportunity to move to a top four club is too great. I think Gareth should go. How often will this opportunity come around?"

Paris Saint-Germain defender Bernard Mendy could be set to join Fulham on a free transfer. Mendy, who spent a loan spell with Bolton in the 2002-03 season, is understood to be a target of Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson as he bids to reinforce his squad.

And an incredible seven clubs are in the hunt to sign Valencia midfielder Edu on a season-long loan deal. The 29-year-old spent a successful spell with Arsenal but left the North Londoners on a free transfer three years ago.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly interested in re-signing the classy Brazilian following Mathieu Flamini's departure from the Emirates Stadium.

But he is not alone in being an admirer of Edu, with Portsmouth , Liverpool, Everton, Manchester City, Spurs and Middlesbrough all believed to be interested in his services.

Click on the link below the photo for the latest on the Cristiano Ronaldo saga!

Sporting Life / Eurosport