Gary Jacob gives his verdict on the latest transfer gossip

West Ham United are among the clubs to have expressed an interest in Luis Jiménez, who has been frustrated by a lack of opportunities with Inter Milan.

The Chile player, 24, can play in several positions up front, including as a second striker or as part of a three-pronged attack. Jiménez, who was plagued by injuries last season, is also wanted by Parma and Fiorentina.

“I need the trust of a manager to play with continuity and I cannot allow myself another year like this,” he said. He is co-owned by Inter and Ternana after moving to the San Siro two years ago.

Manchester City are monitoring Matthew Upson’s contractual developments. The defender has been in talks to extend his deal beyond the two years he has left but no agreement has been found. Aston Villa are also in need of a central defender.

Decent Bets

Middlesbrough are resigned to the departures of Ross Turnbull and Stewart Downing. Keith Lamb, Middlesbrough’s chief executive, confirmed that Downing could leave when he recovers from a foot injury. The winger could be back before the end of the transfer window, so would be expected to interest Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

Turnbull has turned down a number of contract offers from Middlesbrough. The goalkeeper, who made 22 appearances in the Barclays Premier League last term, has been linked to Chelsea. “They were exceptional offers. I am at a loss to see why he is going,” Lamb said.

Andrea Dossena, the Liverpool defender, has said that he could leave the club this summer because of a lack of opportunities, just one year after he moved from Udinese for £7 million. “It has been an important experience,” he said. “I’ve learnt English and I’ve compared myself at a different and high level of football. But I would like to have more opportunities \. And I’ve spoken about it with [Rafael] Benítez. We agreed to find a common solution.”

Cristian Zapata, the Udinese defender, has claimed that Arsenal are among the clubs interested in signing him this summer. He made 17 league starts last season and has four years left on his contract. “Juventus, Fiorentina, Milan, Arsenal and Villarreal have requested information about me,” Zapata said. “If a good offer arrives, then Udinese will have to consider it.”

Andrés Vasquez has said that he has been offered a contract by Stoke City after the midfield player was released by FC Zurich. The 21-year-old first attracted attention when he scored his first league goal for Gothenburg with an unusual chip from outside the area two years ago.

Aston Villa and Fulham are monitoring the progress of Vadim Demidov, the Rosenborg and Norway defender. The 22-year-old was born in Latvia, and his father was a handball player for the Soviet Union. He can also play the holding role in midfield. Birmingham City offered Gary McSheffrey in a bid to sign Scott Dann, but Coventry City want £4 million in cash for the defender.

David Silva has said that he is flattered by Real Madrid’s interest in him after his agents held talks at the Bernabéu on Thursday. The forward, who is also wanted by Liverpool, is expected to leave Valencia because of their financial situation. “That a team like Real Madrid are interested is good for Valencia and for me,” he said.

Long shots

Atlético Madrid and Espanyol have expressed an interest in Emmanuel Eboué, the Arsenal midfield player. Stéphane Mbia has been linked with a move to Everton for a second season, but it is questionable whether the Rennes midfield player will complete a move.

Jonas Olsson has hinted that he could be leaving West Bromwich Albion, and has been linked to Aston Villa. He made 28 appearances after moving from NEC Nijmegen last summer. “I have heard that there are a few clubs that have discussed my name, so I will see what happens when I am back from holiday,” he said.