European Champions Chelsea are reportedly looking to open their spending in January with a bid for 18 year old attacker Lazar Markovic according to reports in the Daily Mail. The Serbian international joined local club Partizan Belgrade as a twelve year old trainee in 2006 and has now developed into one of the most exciting forwards for them, having scored 12 goals in 41 appearances in the Serbian league so far, which include 6 goals in 14 games this season.

Despite many other European Clubs like Arsenal, Inter Milan and Liverpool looking eager to sign the prodigal talent, it is Chelsea who are favourites to land the player in January with a bid reported to be in the region of £8 million. The player’s first choice is also reported to be Chelsea, which should make it easier for the Blues to seal the deal.

There was lots to celebrate on Merseyside on Sunday night in the Premier League with Everton climbing to 4th place in the table courtesy of two late goals to seal an excellent home win against Tottenham Hotspur, while Liverpool finally returned to the top-half of the table with a very entertaining win over West Ham United at Upton Park.

Everton 2-1 Tottenham

It was the late late show for the home fans at Goodison Park as Steven Pienaar and Nikica Jelavic scored within 88 seconds of each other in injury time at the end of the game to help the Toffees overturn a 1-0 deficit after Clint Dempsey's deflected long range effort in the 76th minute had put Spurs on the verge of victory.

European champions Chelsea have turned their attention to Porto's Jackson Martinez as speculation linking Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao have gone cold over transfer fees.

The Metro carries reports suggesting that Chelsea have been put on alert over the availability of Jackson Martinez with Porto are ready to cash in on the player and could make a move in the January transfer window as they look for cover for Fernando Torres.

English giants Liverpool have identified Swansea striker Michu as the second choice winter signing if a deal for Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge doesn't materialize. Sturridge's representatives have reportedly been in talks with Liverpool for quite a while now, but are failing to make progress because of the young striker's excessive wage demand.

Liverpool are desperate to sign a new forward in the January transfer window and have been linked with Sturridge. However, the Mirror reports that if a deal for the Chelsea striker cannot be finalized, then manager Brendan Rodgers will raid his old club Swansea to sign Michu.

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has ruled out the sale of talented midfielder James McCarthy from his side this season stating that Wigan will hold on the Scotland born Republic of Ireland midfielder.

McCarthy, 22, has made 95 appearances for Wigan since joining them in 2009 from his boyhood club Hamilton Academical. McCarthy scored 5 times for Wigan in that period and his manager believes that there is a bright future ahead of the young man. Martinez stated that he is definitely one for the top 4 clubs in England but has ruled out a transfer so early from Wigan. Speaking to reporters Martinez said, “He is already a very mature player and person, and when you consider his age, it’s quite scary to think what he can achieve.’’

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal forward Theo Walcott could be on his way out of the Emirates. The former Southampton youth product has reportedly rejected a new deal in the region of 75,000 pounds per week from Arsenal and with just 6 months remaining on his current contract Walcott is free to negotiate a free transfer with clubs outside England in January.

Walcott was bought by Arsenal for a fee believed to be in the region of £10-12 million from Southampton in 2006 and has made 260 appearances for the club since, scoring 52 goals. He has also been in particularly good form this season having scored 10 goals and assisted 7 in 17 appearances in all competitions this season for the West London club. His good form and the dicey contract situation have alerted fellow Premier League clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City to a possible transfer.

Premier League leaders Manchester United are looking to make a move for Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic as their leaky defence has concerned manager Sir Alex Ferguson greatly.

The Daily Mail has reported that United are considering a bid for the Bosnian either in the January transfer window or could delay it until the summer, which has raised concerns over the future of the two goalkeepers at the club presently - David de Gea and Anders Lindegaard.