Finally, Nicolas Anelka is off to Chelsea, so we can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Everyone has what they want, as Anelka is finally on the move again (it took long enough, didn’t it?), Chelsea have their striker (and didn’t ‘overpay’), and Bolton have the money to do a little spending.

And, after finally getting what they wanted for Anelka, Bolton now have the task of finding his replacement, and that could be Johan Elmander, who I mentioned in the last roundup. Funnily enough, the Goal.com article that mentions this tidbit called him Johan Redknapp. I’m sure it was just a typo, and that someone didn’t have their morning coffee, but I suppose if you squint hard enough, he does look a little like Harry.

According to L’Equipe, Lyon have accepted three bids for striker Fred, the highest two coming from Premier League clubs. Tottenham have tabled a 15 million euro bid for the 24-year old, with Portsmouth making a 12 million euro bid. The club who’s made the lowest bid is the one that Fred supposedly favors the most, as PSG has lodged a 10 million euro bid. In the end, the choice will be up to the player, as Lyon president Jean-Michael Aulas has given him the liberty of deciding his future destination. In the meantime, Lyon have signed 20-year old Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas on loan for the rest of the season.

Maybe Portsmouth are preparing for the money that they’ll have from Newcastle compensating them for Harry Redknapp, if he decides to leave the ice chest for the inferno. Good to see that they’ll be investing it wisely, and not spending it all on one player or something.

Fulham are looking for a striker too, but they don’t have that kind of money to pony up. After having a 4 million GBP bid for Marlon King rejected, they’re going after the Watford man again, hoping that 4.5 million plus a player will sway the Hornets into selling their talented marksman.

Manchester City have reportedly signed Iraqi midfielder Nashat Akram to a two and a half year deal. The newly-turned 24-year old, previously with UAE side Al Ain, already has 63 caps (with eight goals) for the Iraqi national team.

Sampdoria are set to tie up a permanent deal for striker Antonio Cassano, who, despite his occasional over-exuberance, is a pretty good player, and has been an asset since arriving on loan from Real Madrid in the summer. The permanent deal will be about 5.5 million euros, which, if Cassano chooses to make full use of his talents, will be a bargain in the near future.

According to the agent of Bayern Munich defender Daniel Van Buyten, Celtic are looking into making a move for his client. The 29-year old Belgian was once sought after by the likes of Manchester United, but is now a bit-part player in Germany.

Speaking of Bayern, this isn’t player news, but it is worthy of mentioning. Jurgen Klinsmann has been out of work since leaving the German national team following World Cup 2006, but he’ll be taking over on the touchline for Ottmar Hitzfeld at the end of the season.

Oh, and Jens Lehmann will not be joining Borussia Dortmund. Score one for me!

It’s a short day in news, so if you were looking for more, you’ll have to wait a couple of days, when the news picks up again.

But, before I go, the quick run-through…Liverpool have completed the signing of Zenit St. Petersburg defender Martin Skrtel for 4.5 million GBP…Wigan have completed their deal for Honduran star Wilson Palacios…Tottenham have reportedly made a 10 million GBP + Teemu Tainio offer to Boro for Stewart Downing, while they’re also considering a 6 million GBP move for West Ham keeper Robert Green as Paul Robinson’s replacement…Rising stars Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young will not be going anywhere anytime soon, according to Martin O’Neill, and while you’re in the market for the latest transfer news, check out our Premier League January 2008 transfer news page.