The transfer gossip is starting to leak out all over Europe, and the Mirror is hot on the trail of the probables and possibles ahead of the January window.

Alan Nixon hits the back page with an exclusive that "Italian hard man Rino Gattuso is ready to quit AC Milan - and expects to sign for Manchester City in the transfer window".

Nicko, known to have some of the best-placed contacts in the business, says 31-year-old World Cup and Champions League winner Gattuso is telling pals he is heading this way.

His report points out that Gattuso speaks English from his time at Rangers and that the midfield enforcer is not "seeing eye to eye" with Milan coach Leonardo. One to watch?

The Mirror, which claims Barcelona are now thinking of trying to get Robinho on loan, also suggests that a move for Mark Hughes old boy David Bentley could be resurrected.

Their Football Spy column says Hughesy "is ready to save Bentley from his Spurs nightmare with an £8million bid" - and reckons Martin Petrov is in the frame "as a sweetener". We'll see.

Elsewhere, Bill Thornton tells Daily Star readers that Garry Cook has "called time" on the big spending by manager Hughes that characterised a fascinating summer window.

Instead, City's CEO tells Bill: "I think you're going to see Manchester City really ramp up its activity in the youth area, the development area. What we have got to do a good job of, I believe, is create the next first team of players as they come through."