Rumours and Whispers

Sunderland are the latest club linked to Leighton Baines, along with Newcastle, Everton and Aston Villa.

Everton forward James Beattie has apparently tried David Moyes patience a little too far, (with not, who can say, perhaps he farts too much in the team bath) and Latics are rumoured to be considering a £2 million swoop.

Locomotiv Moscow's Scottish international striker Garry O'Connor, a target of Birmingham City and West Ham, is reportedly worth a Latics bid of £2.5 million.

Feyenoord have expressed an interest in Denny Landzaat as new coach Bert van Marwijk looks to take his team to a higher level.