Paper talk

My football gift to you ... all the transfer talk from today's newspapers.

Chelsea are on the verge of signing Real Madrid forward Robinho for £25m after chief executive Peter Kenyon was seen in Madrid to finalise a deal for the 24-year-old Brazilian. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City have given up hope of signing Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn and have instead switched their intentions to Real Zaragoza's Argentine striker Diego Milito. (The Guardian)

But Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is ready to test Rovers' resolve with a £16m bid for the 27-year-old Paraguay striker. (Various)

O'Neill is also set to up his bid for Newcastle's James Milner to £9m after already having a £7m bid rejected. (The Sun)

Liverpool will not be held to ransom by Espanyol for winger Albert Riera after the Spanish club said the 26-year-old is available for £16m, but the Anfield club are only willing to pay £10m. (The Times)

If the Reds fail to sign Riera, manager Rafael Benitez will turn his attentions towards Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing. (The Times)

Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, who has scored just nine league goals in 47 appearances, is set to re-join AC Milan on a season-long loan deal, but his wages could prove to be a stumbling block. (Various)
Shevchenko on verge of Milan move

Zenit St Petersburg have pulled the plug on Andrei Arshavin's move to Tottenham after Spurs refused to match the Russian club's £20m valuation of the 27-year-old. (Various)
Arshavin's Spurs move hopes ended

Tottenham could also miss out on Arshavin's Russian team-mate Roman Pavlyuchenko, 26, who has said he does not want to leave Spartak Moscow. (Daily Star)

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has turned his attentions to West Ham striker Carlton Cole, 24, after securing a loan deal for Marseille's Djibril Cisse. (The Sun)

Keane has also stepped up his pursuit of Blackburn's Benni McCarthy and David Healey from Fulham. (Daily Mail)