RAFA Benitez is set to take over at Inter Milan - and he will raid old club Liverpool for the signing of Javier Mascherano and goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

OWEN Coyle has joined the race for Martin Petrov and will offer Gary Cahill to Manchester City as a sweetener.

STOKE City boss Tony Pulis is stepping up his attempts to snare West Ham’s Carlton Cole and Tottenham’s Roman Pavlyuchenko - and could also make a bid for Hull’s Steven Mouyokolo.

WEST Ham United are ready to make a move for Jimmy Bullard from relegated Hull. New Hammers boss Avram Grant will consider signing the midfielder or taking him to the East End of London on loan.

BLACKPOOL are to step up their pursuit of Bolton’s Kevin Davies as they prepare for life in the Premier League.

ROQUE Santa Cruz says he wants to stay at Manchester City - despite a host of clubs chasing his signature.

ALEX McLeish is keen on signing Italian striker Fabrizio Miccoli from Palermo. The Birmingham boss will pay £4m for the 30-year-old.

NEIL Warnock will make a move for Joe Ledley from Cardiff as he looks to spend a warchest at Queens Park Rangers. Warnock has been told there is a £20m kitty to take Rangers into the Premier League.

PHIL Brown is ready to make his return to football management - and could be a shock contender for the vacant Liverpool job on a short-term basis.

COVENTRY City want to make goalkeeper Keiren Westwood the highest paid player in their history in order to keep him at the club.

IPSWICH are ready to offer £5m to Cardiff for striker Michael Chopra - but Sheffield United are also keen on the hot shot.