The greatest football show on earth kicks off today, but does the transfer market switch off its mobile, switch on the telly and send out for pizza? You've got to be kidding.

Clubs will keep talking to clubs, and agents will keep whispering to journalists. Twas ever thus, and readers wouldn't have it any other way as they already look beyond South Africa.

The Mail's Screamer column, with its finger on the pulse and its thumb frantically texting, links City to a bid for Manchester United defensive target Simon Kjaer of Palermo.

Screamer editor Simon Jones writes that Old Trafford "have bid for Palermo defender Kjaer amid growing concerns Nemanja Vidic wants to leave this summer.

"Palermo have confirmed United's approach for £12m-rated Kjaer but say they have also received an offer from Manchester City.

"Sportsmail revealed earlier this year that Vidic was to quit United, even though he is contracted to 2012, with Real Madrid, Barcelona and AC Milan all keen."

The reported City connection appears not to take into consideration the fact that Roberto Mancini has tied up a five-year deal to import Germany defender Jerome Boateng from Hamburg.

The Mail's story adds: "Kjaer, 21, has been courted by Arsenal also but Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini said: 'I have had requests for Kjaer from Manchester City and United, but there are still differences between what we want and what they are offering.'"

One signing that goes beyond speculation is 16-year-old midfielder Alex Henshall's move from Swindon, faithfully if not necessarily prominently reported by several newspapers.

On the World Cup front - no, we've not forgotten - the Star's man Danny Fullbrook thinks Shaun Wright-Phillips is in with a shout of playing against the States after training impressively.

And Patrick Vieira shelves his disappointment at missing out on selection for France to tip Les Bleus to regain the trophy they landed 12 years ago on home soil.

"Disco" Dave McDonnell quotes our Pat: "I strongly believe they are good enough to win. The manager has been criticised but there's nothing new about that. The quality is there."