KEY POINTS:
Nicolas Anelka's £10m (NZ$26m) transfer from Bolton Wanderers moved a step closer when he did not play in last night's FA Cup tie against Sheffield United at Reebok Stadium.
Bolton decided not to jeopardise the interest in their prize asset by Cup-tieing him in a competition that means
less to them than Premier League survival.
Having quoted a £15m (NZ$38m) fee for Anelka, Bolton are not going to be bounced into a deal by Chelsea, especially not until they know how serious any other bidders will be. The likelihood remains, however, that a deal to take the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge will be concluded before the end of the month.
Chelsea are known to be hoping to sign up to four players, including the versatile Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic - needed because fears are growing that England captain John Terry's foot injury may keep him out a lot longer than expected and possibly all season.
Manager Avram Grant said no one would be sold this month, including defender Wayne Bridge, who has been linked with Liverpool.
Chelsea is not the only club chasing a striker - Obafemi Martins is being sought by Manchester City and Aston Villa.
The 23-year-old Nigerian striker has endured a troubled season under manager Sam Allardyce and Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth are also monitoring the situation.
The stumbling block may be the price, because the £13m (NZ$33m) release clause in Martins' contract has still not been removed although negotiations have taken place with Newcastle, who appear to want to keep him.
Villa are thought to be the only club prepared to meet that valuation, although it is understood that Martins would prefer a move to City.
Martins arrived at St James's Park in August 2006, in a £10m (NZ$26m) move from Internazionale, and is understood to have grown increasingly frustrated under Allardyce and disillusioned by his tactics.
He scored 17 goals last season, including 11 in the Premier League, and is Newcastle's top scorer with six goals so far in this campaign. He reacted angrily to being substituted during the recent away defeat to Chelsea, refusing even to acknowledge Allardyce's outstretched hand.
Villa manager Martin O'Neill has made recruiting a striker his priority, and initially hoped to sign Liverpool's Peter Crouch, a move that now appears unlikely. Villa are also interested in Loris Arnaud, a 20-year-old with Paris St-Germain, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Portsmouth want Martins but not at the current price. They see him as a replacement for John Utaka, who is likely to leave Fratton Park at the end of the season.
Spurs' interest would certainly suggest they are willing to offload one or both of Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent. Spurs want to play Martins as a central striker, his preferred role, and it is understood that Bent, in particular, is not in head coach Juande Ramos' plans.
Meanwhile North London rivals and competition leaders Arsenal are close to signing Nikolai Dimitrov, a 20-year-old Bulgarian winger, while veteran goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is still mulling over an offer from his former club, Borussia Dortmund.
Dimitrov is currently on trial with Arsenal from Levski Sofia, where he has been a first-team regular for three seasons.
IN TALKS
ASTON VILLA
Martin O'Neill will hold talks with Martin Laursen's representatives next week in an attempt to persuade the Danish defender to sign a new three-year contract.
BLACKBURN
Manager Mark Hughes remains willing to part with forward Jason Roberts, but insists the club have not received a formal approach.
FULHAM
Paris St-Germain defender Bernard Mendy is a possible transfer target for new manager Roy Hodgson. Meanwhile, Fulham defender Adrian Leijer could leave on a loan deal.
LIVERPOOL
Rafael Benitez has failed for the second time to secure Gabriel Heinze and the manager now has his sights on Chelsea's £7m-rated left-back, Wayne Bridge.
MANCHESTER CITY
CSKA Moscow pairing Daniel Carvalho and Vagner Love have emerged as potential targets as City attempt to strengthen their forward options.
PORTSMOUTH
Harry Redknapp is lining up a bid for Mendy as Portsmouth try to secure cover for their missing African Cup of Nations players.
- INDEPENDENT
