UPDATE: According to the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa have denied the rumor that they are interested in Real Zaragoza winger Jermaine Pennant. A statement was made saying,

“The club have moved to deny newspaper claims they are set to move for Jermaine Pennant.”

December 1st, 2009 According to Adam Marshall at News of the World, Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is looking into making a move for Real Zaragoza winger Jermaine Pennant.

According to Sky Sports News, Monaco striker Frederic Nimani is looking to move to the English Premier League in January. His agent Willie McKay said,

“Frederic is hoping to find a new club in January and I believe Monaco are willing to loan him out … There are some clubs interested in him and Frederic wants to move to the UK as he feels his game would be suited to the style of football in the UK.”

Birmingham have been linked with Nimani in the past.

According to the Daily Mail, Toulouse want £12million for striker Andre-Pierre Gignac. Gignac has been linked with Arsenal as Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is searching for a new striker to replace the injured Robin Van Persie.

According to Paul Kendrick at the Wigan Evening Post, Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez might possible loan out starlet James McCarthy. Martinez said,

“This season has been part of a big learning curve for James … He is only a young man, but he has come a very long way and he is slowly getting there … The squad is very thin and we have six big games before the transfer window opens – and I can’t see any movement at all before then. ”

“James has the potential to be an outstanding talent, and we need to make sure we treat him well and give him the right amount of time to develop into a player who will give this club a lot of happy times … We’ll address the situation again in January, but we have six massive games between now and then and we need everyone ready and available. ”

“James produces great standards on a daily basis in training, and he is not a long way away from the first team … We want him to carry on competing and proving he is ready to play for the first team, but we’ll reassess his situation in January … There is nothing in it at the moment.”

According to Jeremy Butler at MirrorFootball, Stoke City are looking to sign Huddersfield goalkeeper Alex Smithies. Stoke are prepared to offer £3million for Smithies and then loan him back to the club.

Middlesbrough and Everton are also linked with the 20-year-old goalkeeper.

According to Sky Sports News, Blackburn’s deal for MFK Kosice defender Dionatan Nascimento fell through as he did not qualify for a work permit. Blackburn had a three-year deal setup for Nascimento but were unable to finalize it.

According to David Smith at the London Evening Standard, Fulham are in talks with defender Aaron Hughes to work out a new deal. Hughes said,

“We’re talking at the minute and, hopefully, we can get something sorted out … I’ve enjoyed it here even when things weren’t going too well in my first season with the club. All that was missing was the results. Now we’ve come out the other side where we’re getting the results I’m enjoying it just as much. Hopefully, I can hang around a bit longer.”

UPDATE: According to Sky Sports News, Portsmouth boss Avram Grant approached Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp about the possibility of permanently signing Jamie O’Hara. Redknapp said,

“I spoke to Avram and he said he’d like to keep him if he can … I said let’s see how it goes and see what happens between now and January … He’s due to come back in January but there’s an option for him to stay - although it’s our decision.”

November 16th, 2009 According to Jordan Cross at The News, Portsmouth boss Paul Hart would like to sign midfielder Jamie O’Hara permanently from Tottenham. Hart said,

According to Ashley Gray at the Daily Mail, Chelsea are interested in Santos striker Neymar. Chelsea are rumored to be prepared to offer Santos an offer of £13.5million, which is half of his release clause.

According to Manchester United’s official website, Manchester United will not pursue the option to purchase Partizan Belgrade midfielder Adem Ljajic.  A club spokesman said,

“We had an option to buy the player but, having closely monitored his development over past 12 months, and taken into the consideration the young players emerging through the ranks, we have chosen not to pursue the transfer.”

According to Arindam Rej at the Daily Mail, Hull City are interested in Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon. Newcastle looked set to sign the defender but Hull City might be able to offer a better deal, which might include Peter Halmosi.

According to Sky Sports News, Portsmouth defender Younes Kaboul will not be leaving the club for Lille this January. His agent Rudy Raba said,

“There is no chance of Younes joining Lille … Younes is very happy at Portsmouth and they are happy with him.”

According to Alan Nixon at MirrorFootball, Tottenham seem set to sign Lokomotiv Moscow goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic on loan. Jakupovic supposedly traveled to White Hart Lane to discuss a deal.

UPDATE: According to Vlatko Siljanovski at Sky Sports News, CSKA Moscow midfielder Milos Krasic will not be going anywhere in January. His agent Dejan Joksimovic said,

“Unfortunately, I was badly interpreted … I didn’t say that he will go to England. I said that only the English clubs are able to pay the money that CSKA is asking for Krasic … The situation is completely different.”

“CSKA will not sell him until next June. That is what they have told me, and believe me, it will be like that.”

December 1st, 2009 According to Simone Bargellini at Sky Sports News, CSKA Moscow midfielder Milos Krasic has drawn interest from Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea. His agent Dejan Joksimovic told Calciomercato,