Sunderland boss Steve Bruce wants Seb Larsson to fill Jordan Henderson's boots - and sign for the Black Cats on a free transfer.
Bruce has leapt to the front of the queue for former Birmingham City free agent Larsson in the last 24 hours as he resigns himself to selling Henderson to Liverpool.
The Swedish international has been fielding offers for weeks, including moves by Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Newcastle - plus a surprise inquiry from old club Arsenal.
However Larsson now seems set to agree terms with Sunderland in a hurry as Bruce sees him as a perfect right-sided replacement for Henderson.
Bruce also wants Wigan's French flier Charles N'Zogbia but he has been priced out of that race - although he could go back for his target if the valuation came down.
Mirror Football are reporting West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold are resigned to the fact Matthew Upson will walk out of the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old Upson has been dragging his heels over renewing his £60,000 p/w contract and is reportedly considering his options in January.
Out-of-work XI (4-4-2):
Maik Taylor (Birmingham City);
John Pantsil (Fulham), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur), Jonathan Spector (West Ham); Jason Koumas (Wigan Athletic), Patrick Vieira (Manchester City), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Andy Reid (Blackpool);
John Carew (Aston Villa), Diomansy Kamara (Fulham).
Wolves have confirmed experienced defender Jody Craddock will be offered a new deal despite being on the Premier League released list.
The centre-half, who is 36 next month, was named on the list of players apparently released by their clubs this summer but Wolves have moved quickly to reassure fans he will be offered a new deal and is staying at Molineux.
A message on the club's official Twitter feed said: "Don't read anything into inclusion of Jody Craddock on list of released players.
"Just procedure from league. He is being offered new deal."