Football Shorts - Transfer news from Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Chelsea, Leeds United and Huddersfield Town

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Forest look like they’re going to be busy this week, as they have had a bid rejected for Peterborough’s floppy-haired playmaker George Boyd and have just lodged an improved £500,000 bid for Birmingham’s more modest-barnetted winger Chris Burke

Full story: Daily Telegraph

The vultures do seem to be circling St Andrews, as Reading look likely to make a £1 million bid for the cash-strapped club’s former England under-21 centre-half Curtis Davies, and Chelsea have expressed interest in young goalkeeper Jack Butland.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Wigan, famous for bringing us Antonio Valencia, are making a £3m bid for another Ecuadorian winger, Jefferson Montero, after a loan proposal hit a snag.

Full story: The Daily Mirror

This one’s getting a bit stale now, but according to the Daily Mirror, Danny Graham has asked to quit Swansea with Sunderland ready to complete a £5.5m transfer.

Speaking of boring transfer sagas, Manchester City are said to be braced for an increased offer from AC Milan for Mario Balotelli after rejecting a £17m bid.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham are trying to pull off a last-minute swoop for £20m Leandro Damiao.

Full story: Daily Star

Reading are lining up a £1.2m bid for Sheffield United striker Nick Blackman.

Full story: Daily Mail

Depending on who you listen to, Aston Villa chief Randy Lerner has given “his public backing” (The Times) or “the dreaded vote of confidence” (The Sun) to manager Paul Lambert.

Leeds United are in advanced talks over the proposed signing of left-back Stephen Warnock from Aston Villa.

United and Villa appear close to reaching a deal which will allow Warnock to take up an 18-month contract at Elland Road.

An agreement has not yet been finalised but Villa are expected to sanction a free transfer in return for a switch which removes Warnock’s £40,000-a-week salary from their wage bill.

Ramon Nunez has also parted companty with the club. The Honduran midfielder has had his contract terminated by mutual consent after to and a half years at the club.

CARETAKER manager Mark Lillis insists he will not be frightened of making the big decisions while in charge of Huddersfield Town.

The one-time striker was handed the reins on a temporary basis following last week’s sacking of Simon Grayson and oversaw an encouraging weekend draw with Leicester City in the FA Cup.

Town’s academy manager said: “The Championship is the priority for this club for the way we are progressing and is so important for the way Dean Hoyle’s plans for the future of the club are set out. To stay in there is so important.

“From my perspective, the pleasing thing is how the players have reacted to me.

“You have to get in their faces because I am a big believer in that and in confronting things that are there.”