Man Utd back in for Douglas Costa

The latest phase of Sir Alex Ferguson's rebuilding of Manchester United is firmly underway, with the Guardian reporting that the Old Trafford club is looking for a compromise with Brazilian club Gremio about their attacking midfielder Douglas Costa. United are willing to make an initial outlay of £7m on the 18-year-old dubbed the 'new Ronaldinho', but the Brazilian club are looking for £21m, despite Costa having made less than 20 senior appearances. Costa has indicated that he would like to play football in the Premier League, although he has attracted attention from Italian and Spanish clubs too...

Martin O'Neill looks to have finally got his man, with the transfer of Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough to Aston Villa likely to take place this week, according to the Daily Mail. Although Downing is currently out of action after breaking his foot during Boro's unsuccessful fight against relegation, O'Neill is willing to take a £12m risk on the England winger. Should the deal take place, it would suggest that Villa's current wide man Ashley Young could be leaving Villa Park...

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is considering a bid for Barcelona's striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, reports Sky Sports. The Icelandic hitman is deemed surplus to requirements at the European champions, and is being courted by a trio of Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa and Fulham. But the Hammers are believed to be in pole position due to Zola's close relationship with the 30-year-old Gudjohnsen, the pair having played together at Chelsea...

Liverpool will have to dig deep to keep Javier Mascherano at the club, the Daily Mail reveals, with Rafa Benitez ready to treble the Argentine's wages in a bid to ward off renewed interest from Barcelona. The Anfield club also looks to have successfully rebuffed Real Madrid, who were looking to prise Xabi Alonso away from Merseyside,  but were ultimately unwilling to match the £35m valuation that Benitez had slapped on his defensive midfielder... ·