Premier League Rumour Mill: West Ham to revive Adriano offer

The Hammers are struggling for consistency after being hit by a string of injuries to their Upton Park squad and it is in attack where they have been damaged most of all.

Dean Ashton and Bobby Zamora have both been notably absentees from a floundering attack and although Carlton Cole has worked hard up front the goals have dried up.

Adriano fancies moving to England and the Hammers could be successful if they are prepared to splash out around £14m for the South American.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn will allow manager Roy Keane to spend big in the next transfer window after watching the Black Cats lose 1-0 to Manchester City last night despite dominating at Eastlands.

Portsmouth striker David Nugent tops Keane's list and the Wearsiders are poised to turn down a £12million offer from Liverpool for Kenwyne Jones - although they may offer a cheeky swap bid for Peter Crouch.

Anfield goalkeeper Scott Carson wants to turn his season-long loan at Aston Villa into a permanent deal to stay at the club.

But Villa's Sweden international defender Olof Mellberg has refused to deny speculation linking him with a move to Juventus while Arsenal are on the trail of Congo international striker Tresor Mputu and will pay £500,000 for him.

Bolton manager Gary Megson wants to infuriate former club West Brom by signing Manchester City's £2m-rated forward Ishmael Miller, who is currently on loan at The Hawthorns.

And he is also contemplating a move for Sheffield United tough guy Chris Morgan to add some steel to his defence.

Portsmouth youngster Martin Crainie wants to stay at Fratton Park despite shining while on loan with QPR, who are prepared to offer £2.4m to make the move permanent.

Crainie, who joined Pompey from neighbours Southampton, said: "I think QPR will spend big in January. They've got the money to do it now and they're an ambitious club.

"I don't know anything about me joining permanently though. I wouldn't be interested anyway. I definitely see my future at Portsmouth, this is just an experience for me. I just want to go out and get games and show everyone what I can do. When the three months are up I will return to Portsmouth."

Rumour of the day: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could make a move for Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, whose contract finishes in June.

No chance: West Ham are set to turn down demands from captain Lucas Neill for raise in his salary just ten months after joining them.