Rafael Benitez has not even signed on the dotted line with Internazionale yet but he is already being linked with a raid on his former club
According to the Daily Mail, the Spaniard's first task as boss of the European champions will be to try and prize away Javier Mascherano and Dirk Kuyt from Liverpool with a combined £33 million bid.
The Mascherano rumour has been floating around for a few days but the Kuyt link is fresher and the versatile forward didn't exactly distance himself from any such move while talking at the Netherlands' World Cup camp.
"I don’t know for sure who is going to be in charge at Inter, but Benitez is a fantastic coach and would be a great choice for them," said Kuyt.
"Working with him is perfect and I am grateful for all he did for me. I was delighted when he asked me to join him at Liverpool, and while we were together, he gave me a lot of good suggestions about how I could improve my game.
"He was good for my career. I have read a lot about what might happen now, if he goes to Inter, but I am just concentrating on the World Cup."
Benitez would also love to take Fernando Torres to Milan with him, but the Italians accept that they cannot afford the Spanish striker (Mail); such a problem will not stop Manchester City from making a huge bid and they feel Torres is up for grabs again now after Benitez's departure (The Sun).
According to the Mail, City are also close to sealing the £28m signing of Aston Villa's James Milner - and the Daily Mirror reckons Martin O'Neill will splash out £8m on Mbark Boussoufa of Anderlecht as a replacement for Milner.
Villa, along with Arsenal, are also interested in Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega but Latics chairman Dave Whelan is asking for £15m for the Colombian. (Mail)
Whelan certainly seems to have a high opinion of his squad because Birmingham City have withdrawn an £8m bid for Charles N'Zogbia because Wigan want £15m for the Frenchman. (Sun)
Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has confirmed that Arsenal have made Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer their top target this summer but they have had an initial bid turned down. Fulham are demanding £3m for the Aussie despite the shot-stopper being 37. (Mirror)
Fulham are still in danger of losing their manager of course, with Roy Hodgson again widely reported as being favourite for the Liverpool job despite Kenny Dalglish entering the race on Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, we reported that the Cottagers were chasing Standard Liege's Congo international Dieumerci Mbokani for £8m. The striker has confirmed that he would like to move to SW6, but Fulham could lose him to Birmingham or West Ham if they don't seal the deal soon. (Mail)
One signing that could be done on Thursday is Estudiantes right-back Marcos Angeleri's £2m move to Sunderland. (Sun)
Leaving the Premier League though could be Bolton defender Andy O'Brien who is wanted by Championship newcomers Leeds. (Sun)
On Wednesday Michael Ballack was released by Chelsea. Wolfsburg manager Steve McClaren has now entered the race to sign the injured German captain. (Mail)
Premier League newcomers Blackpool are drawing up their survival wish-list and the names of Danny Webber (Portsmouth), Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) and Clarke Carlisle (Burnley) are on it. (The Times)
Finally some Anglo-Italian news from The Times: Serie A side Parma are hoping to sign West Ham's Alessandro Diamanti while Palermo striker Fabrizio Miccoli is trying to push through a £4m move to Birmingham.
