Tottenham are currently priced at odds of $18.00 to finish in the bottom 10 for EPL 2013 / 2014, so if you think Bale will be sold, get on this price before it tumbles. Rarely can a top 6 team have been so reliant on one player.

Chelsea and Manchester United appear to be fighting it out as to who gets to spend $100m on Edinson Cavani and who gets to spend $60m on Robert Lewandowski. United who have been liked with Robert Lewandowski since about 1996 it seems, are still favourites to land the big Pole, however Cavani’s Wayne Rooney like work ethic could be attracting David Moyes. Cavani also brings a lot more hair to United’s front line than either Lewandowski or Rooney. Our tips are: Cavani to Real Madrid and Lewandowski to Manchester United.

If you fancy a United / Chelsea Dual Forecast for 1st and 2nd in EPL 2013 / 2014 (we do) you can grab odds of $3.60 which we recommend you do before their cheque books open and their prices start falling.

One player almost certain to be at Manchester United next season is Everton’s Leighton Baines, with United having a $24m feeler bid rejected, it is only going to be one transfer request and $30m to seal the deal. Baines brings some dead ball expertise United have missed since Ronaldo and an offensive full back approach they haven’t had since, well erm, Evra.

And finally a no-more-than-10-words-per-sentence round up of the rest of the gossip.

Rooney will remain at Old Trafford, central to Moyes’ plans
Real Madrid to sell Higuain to either Arsenal or Juventus
Everton fancy a new Honda, Keisuke from CSKA Moscow.
Paulinho is on his way to Tottenham from Corinthians
Liverpool’s Reina is going to move to Barcelona

Monaco are strongly rumoured to be preparing a $160m bid for Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and are prepared to offer a staggering $40m per year package! This story has some foundation, however, with Barcelona announcing the capture of Neymar, giving them two marquee players, we can’t see Real Madrid letting Ronaldo leave, even if they do sign Gareth Bale, as is widely expected. Whilst Monaco and PSG can certainly outbid Manchester United, it seems Ronaldo would prefer a move back to Manchester United, if he moves anywhere at all. We don’t think he is going anywhere and will be a Madrista next season.

Meanwhile Manchester United can be bouyed by the news that Borussia Dortmund are seemingly unwilling to sell Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich. United have been long time admirers of the Polish international and are said to be lining up a serious bid for the player. Dortmund are however playing a dangerous game as Lewandowski could just see out the remaining year of his contract and join whoever he likes at the end of next season. This rumour has been bubbling along for many months, and with new manager David Moyes seeing rivals City already securing Fernandinho and Jesus Navas, United need to move in the market. Our bet is that Lewandowski will be a United player by the start of the 2013 /2014 season.

The odds on Manchester United winning the Premier League have drifted ever so slightly, with Chelsea and Manchester City both shortening. So value hunters who fancy United might be best placed to get a bet on early at odds of $3.00 (in from $2.88) before they sign a couple of big players.

Super fast update on the rest of the gossip.

Former AC Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini seems to be on his way to West Ham United, with the 36 year old expected to sign a 2 year contract. Our verdict – done deal.

Newcastle United are considering taking Darren Bent from Aston Villa who has been told he is surplus to bench warming requirements next season. Our verdict – a sure thing, the dug out seats at St James’ look much comfier than those at Villa Park.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas is being linked with a big money move to Paris St Germain, after Mourinho moved to Chelsea and Guus Hiddink decided to stay at Anzhi Makaakach….Makhakkacha….Anzhi Makhahaka….that Russian club he is manager of. Our verdict – he’s going nowhere.

And finally, despite being linked almost every day with a move to Barcelona, Side Show Bob look-a-like, and 10 year old on a playstation controlled, David Luiz looks set to move absolutely nowhere after being told he is central to Jose Mourinho’s plans. Central being the operative word, as The Happy One has apparently told Luiz that he either plays where Mourinho tells him to play or he gets sold.

Chelsea are priced at odd of $3.10 to win the 2014 EPL, which we think is just a little bit too short, given that The Pessimistic One is already talking abut winning it the following season.