Preferred striker prefers Paris?

Another day and the future of transfer target Mevlut Erdinc may be edging towards resolution. Local journo Luke Edwards - now writing for the Torygraph, it seems - reports that we've now firmed up our interest in the PSG striker with a £7m bid. According to Edwards, its success hinges on the viewpoint taken by the French club's incoming sporting director Leonardo.

But even if PSG and Leonardo decide they're prepared to let Erding go, the player himself might well prefer to stay in the French capital. Sky Sports have quoted the Turk as saying he's unfazed by the competition for places which has increased with the acquisition of Kevin Gameiro from Lorient.

Meanwhile, should Mr T be sold this summer, you wonder whether Alan Pardew's search for a replacement will reduce him to trawling through YouTube footage. Owen Hargreaves was a great player - past tense - and his dodgy knees would make him even more of an expensive liability than his former Old Trafford teammate Little Saint Mick. £17m in transfer fee and a whole lot more in wages - it must be nice to be able to shrug off that kind of loss without wincing.