Premier League Rumour Mill: Hammers, Magpies and City shoot for snubbed Crouch

The England international is unhappy he was left out of the squad which beat Aston Villa 2-1 at the weekend and demanded an explanation from Reds boss Rafa.

Peter Crouch is interesting a number of clubs including Newcastle and West Ham

He realises his chances of playing for his country in next month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia at Wembley will be harmed if he is not playing regular first-team football.

Newcastle are big admirers of the former Portsmouth and Southampton striker and Magpies manager Sam Allardyce may make a move even though he is well stocked with strikers in the form of Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins, Mark Viduka and Alan Smith.

West Ham and Manchester City will also monitor the situation and could pounce if the Anfield rift deepens.

Pompey are stepping up their bid to sign £4m-rated Real Mallorca winger Jonas Gutierrez while Derby are pursuing their interest in Finland midfielder Mika Vayrynen.

Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson wants to sign a keeper in the next 24 hours and Jussi Jaaskelainen and Marco Amelia are the targets while the Hammers are to make an official inquiry about Palermo midfielder Mark Bresciano after his move to Eastlands collapsed.

Everton have not given up hope of signing Middlesbrough marksman Yakubu while Daniel Alves will not play in Seville's Champions League qualifier on Wednesday as he seeks a move to Chelsea.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is prepared to pay up to £8m for Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen but Rovers are likely to demand another £2m on top of that for the Norway star who has only just signed a new contract at Ewood Park.

And Leicester are to offer former Chelsea and Middlesbrough striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink a deal worth £1m.

Rumour of the day: Derby want to sign Watford striker Marlon King.

No chance: But Rams boss Billy Davies won't sell Giles Barnes after slapping a £6m price tag on the midfielder.