THE INSIDER: Wigan have walked away from AJ deal... Toon stuttering over Spurs' Pascal... M'Bia made Toffees' top target... Plus the other gossip

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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)

Johnson

Andy Johnson, Everton to Wigan - Insider says: 2/5

While reports that Wigan made a £9m bid for Johnson are correct, it came in the form of a verbal offer and happened nearly 10 days ago. Since then, Steve Bruce has succeeded in his pursuit of Egypt international Amr Zaki to play alongside Emile Heskey and has cooled his interest in Johnson. Despite letting go of Julius Agahowa and Marcus Bent, Bruce still has Henri Camara, Antoine Sibierski, Marlon King and David Cotterill as alternatives in attack. Johnson accepts he may be on his way out of Goodison Park before the start of the season, with Sunderland still showing an interest.

Chimbonda

Pascal Chimbonda, Tottenham to Newcastle - Insider says: 2/5

Newcastle are in the market for a right-back following the departure of Stephen Carr and Peter Ramage but would not be prepared to pay Tottenham’s £4m asking price. Although Chimbonda’s chequered history at Wigan and Spurs might put off some clubs, Newcastle’s track record of signing the likes of Joey Barton, Lee Bowyer and Craig Bellamy suggest that would not be a problem. Money is, however, as owner Mike Ashley tightens his belt, and don’t expect this one to happen anytime soon unless Spurs drop their price drastically.

M'Bia

Stephane M’Bia, Rennes to Everton - Insider says: 3/5

The Cameroon international has been linked with Everton in the past, with manager David Moyes desperate to sign a powerful central midfielder in the Patrick Vieria mould to replace Lee Carsley. Having failed with a late bid to hijack Gilberto Silva’s move from Arsenal to Panathanaikos, Moyes may well return to M’Bia but as yet no offer has been made to Rennes.

Kitson

Dave Kitson, Reading to Stoke - Insider says: 4/5

With Reading reluctant to sell to Championship rivals Birmingham, there is little obstacle to Kitson returning to the Premier League with newcomers Stoke in a £4m deal. While the former non-league striker is a typical Tony Pulis signing in the sense he is over 6ft tall, he will offer a little more guile required in the top-flight to the robust style of most of Stoke’s strikers.

Pearson

Stephen Pearson, Derby to Birmingham - Insider says: 4/5

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is in need of an athletic midfielder to do the running alongside new-signing Carsley, and wants Pearson signed as quickly as possible to join up with his squad on their pre-season tour of Austria. This one should go through for around £600,000.