Premier League Rumour Mill: Keane planning double swoop

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has insisted he will not sell David Nugent to fund moves for Nicolas Anelka and Papa Bouba Diop.

Roy Keane is planning to strengthen his Sunderland squad before the end of the transfer window

The £6million signing from Preston has already fallen behind John Utaka, Kanu and Benjani in the Fratton Park pecking order and will plunge still further down the list if Anelka arrives from Bolton.

But Redknapp has dismissed suggestions the striker is to made a swift return to the north when he confirmed: "Derby do want to sign him. They'd like him.

"But he's only just joined us and I'm happy to keep him here. He's a young player. Obviously he wants to play but at the moment Kanu's been absolutely brilliant, Utaka's a threat and Benjani does well so it's been difficult for David. He has to be patient."

Rams boss Billy Davies refused to be drawn into the prospects of signing Nugent, who he managed during his time in charge at Preston, when he said after his side's 2-1 defeat to Birmingham: "What we need is more firepower.

"Sometimes believe half of what you hear and none of what you read. Some of it speculation, some is mischief making."

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has scoured Europe for new signings and is keen on Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker and Porto's Jose Boswinga as well as Curtis Davies, who is just up the road at West Brom.

Villa are also believed to be interested in Chelsea right back Glen Johnson.

Everton have been stunned by Manuel Fernandes' decision to join Valencia - just 24 hours after he was a guest at their game with Blackburn while Newcastle have agreed a £2m deal to sign Abdoulaye Faye from Bolton and will pay him £40,000-a-week.

West Ham are considering a fresh £8m offer for Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy and Fulham have bid £1.3m for Derby striker Steve Howard.

Rumour of the day: Everton, Fulham, Manchester City and Derby are all involved in a race to sign Celtic striker Kenny Miller.

No chance: Sheffield United boss Bryan Robson will not allow Rob Hulse to leave Bramall Lane.