Transfer news and speculation: 27th January

Up to Beckham whether he stays in Italy, says Ancelotti

(REUTERS)

Milan are willing to negotiate a permanent deal to sign David Beckham from LA Galaxy, but insist it will all come down to the player's preference. Beckham is due to return to America at the beginning of March for the start of the new MLS season. Milan made it clear yesterday they would be prepared to speak to Galaxy but that the decision to stay would be Beckham's. Rossoneri coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "Milan's position is the same as it was. The choice remains exclusively his. Our desire is that he continues with us. When he returns to America that will sadden us because of the help he is giving his team. He has had the ability to come in and have a starring role. It is all down to him, his desire and willingness to return to play in a league and in an important team."

Sunderland line-up defender Davenport

Sunderland are in talks to sign Calum Davenport but are yet to make a bid for the 26-year old central defender, whose £3m move to Bolton Wanderers collapsed earlier this month. West Ham, who sold Craig Bellamy to Manchester City for £14m, have started the process of spending funds from that deal yesterday by signing Savio Nsereko from the Italian club Brescia for a fee that could rise to £10m. Savio is a Ugandan-born, German Under-19 international.

Jason Burt

Watson poised for JJB bow against Liverpool

Ben Watson, who made 189 appearances for Crystal Palace, has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Wigan Athletic. Watson is in line to make his debut in tomorrow's match at home to Liverpool, just under four years after he last played in the Premier League. Wigan have also sealed the signing of Hugo Rodallega for £4.5m. The Colombia striker was granted a work permit last week and, after flying in on Thursday, has now passed a medical and agreed personal terms on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Ambitious Megson eyes up Veloso move

Bolton Wanderers are hoping to steal a march on other clubs in their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon's stylish midfielder Miguel Veloso, though they appear to have a tall order on their hands actually landing a player linked to Manchester United last year after a fine performance at Old Trafford in the Champions League. Gary Megson has, though, signed Wolves midfielder Mark Davies on a four-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Ian Herbert

Rumour mill: Tales from the web

Two notable absentees from Sunday's Merseyside derby – Robbie Keane and Mikael Arteta – are Eastlands-bound for £20m a pop, with the Toffees spending their portion on Standard Liège's Stephen Dufour ( football-rumours.co.uk).

Juventus's Claudio Ranieri is planning a fantasy strike force by pairing Del Piero with one of his old Chelsea charges, West Ham's prolific Carlton Cole (Sky Sports).

Ranieri has also been linked with a raid on his former club for the France winger Florent Malouda to replace Pavel Nedved, who is set to leave the Turin club ( premiershiplatest.com).

The Gunners' pantomime villain of the moment, Emmanuel Eboué, could be booed out of the Emirates and all the way to San Siro to team up with Jose Mourinho at Internazionale ( tribalfootball.com).