THE INSIDER: Chelsea line up £40m mega-bucks deal for Villa... Spurs to fork out £7m for pint-sized Falcao... Benitez keen to deliver Downing to Anfield... Plus Sunderland and Bolton

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(INSIDER'S RATING: 0/5 means this deal's pie in the sky. 5/5 and it's a done deal)

David Villa

David Villa, Valencia to - The Insider says: 2/5

Sources in Spain claim Chelsea's interest in the Euro 2008 star continues with talk of a bank-busting £40million - yes, f-o-r-t-y million pounds! - fee. Valencia are desperate to reduce their massive debt and a compromise deal may well develop throughout the final week of transfer activity.

Falcao

Falcao, River Plate to - Insider says: 3/5

Argentinian club River Plate are willing to do business with Spurs to the tune of £7million for the striker, however, at a less-than-gangly 5ft 10in, the Columbian is no straight replacement for the statuesque Dimitar Berbatov. Falcao, therefore, remains a possible recruit for Tottenham but not a top target. Damien Comolli was in South Africa at the weekend while Spurs' chief scout travelled to Portugal as Juande Ramos also looks towards Italy to bolster his squad.

Anton Ferdinand

Anton Ferdinand, to - Insider says: 5/5

A little word to the wise from big brother Rio appears to persuaded Anton that the move north is a sound one. Roy Keane has assembled a decent top-flight side at the Stadium of Light and, with chairman Niall Quinn's backing, Rio knows Sunderland are going places. £7.5million and Rio's nod have convinced Anton to take the plunge.

Albert Riera

Albert Riera, Espanyol to - Insider says: 3/5

Liverpool's £9million offer for ex-Man City star Riera is some £3m short of Everton's £12m bid but the player prefers a move to Anfield, where it's - amazingly - less chaotic than Goodison. Liverpool will be hoping that player power triumphs over Espanyol's financial need.

Stewart Downing

Stewart Downing, to - Insider says: 3/5

Boro are reluctant to sell, especially at this short notice - the transfer window slams shut on September 1. But Liverpool's £14million offer will be tempting to Gareth Southgate. Gareth Barry and Rafa Benitez's concerns over Downing's true worth are the stumbling blocks at the Anfield end.

Nicky Hunt

Heidar Helguson

Nicky Hunt and Heidar Helguson, to Ipswich - Insider says 3/5

Although the pair are eager to stay in the Premier League, former team-mate Ivan Campo has been on to them both telling them what a great set-up Ipswich have down in Suffolk. Town will step up their pursuit of Helguson after Cologne rejected their £2.8m bid for striker Milivoje Novakovic.