No strings attached

The Mirror are among those claiming that, despite rival interest, we've won the race to Dan Gosling's signature. But there could be a catch: if Everton appeal successfully, we could be liable to pay a hefty transfer fee for the midfielder. No such thing as a free lunch and all that...

Meanwhile, if that prospect is preoccupying Jabba and Llambiarse, Chris Hughton's got a bit of a dilemma as regards who'll be Steve Harper's understudy for the start of the forthcoming campaign. You'd expect it would be Tim Krul, and Norwich have made very public their eagerness to re-sign Fraser Forster on loan. But Hughton has admitted that the Dutchman is also in demand and so is contemplating allowing him to be the one who experiences a change of scenery: "We’ve had interest in both of them and they are both two very good young goalkeepers. We are trying to assess all our different options and we shall see what the best offer is. You have to take a lot of factors into consideration. What is the best deal for the club and what is going to be the best option for the player. We have to think about their development and what they are going to take the most benefit from. We shall work with all three of the goalkeepers in Ireland and they will be very much a part of that, but we will have to make a decision before the season begins. At this moment in time, no decision has been made.".

Definitely on the move are Nobby Solano, who has followed our ex-caretaker manager Nigel Pearson from Leicester to Championship rivals Hull, and Obafemi Martins, who, after a disappointing season in Germany with Wolfsburg capped by an awful World Cup, is to flee the clutches of former Smog and England boss Steve McLaren by signing for Russian outfit Rubin Kazan.

One old boy who seems set to stay put, however, is Gary Speed - against his will, it's been alleged. Our former midfielder has now been approached twice about the managerial vacancy at Swansea only for his current employers Sheffield Utd to veto any move.