Spurs still keen on Higuain as Chelsea face battle for German ace Schurrle
By Simon Jones - The Insider
UPDATED: 16:43 GMT, 27 June 2012
Simon Jones is Sportsmail's man on the inside of all the major transfer moves this summer.
His column, published every weekday, offers an insight into the deals which will be done and those that won't - and why.
A 5/5-rating means The Insider reckons it's a done deal; 0/5 means The Insider has his mortgage on it not happening.
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GONZALO HIGUAIN
Real Madrid to Tottenham
THE INSIDER says: 2/5
ANDRE SCHURRLE
Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea
THE INSIDER says: 2/5
Tottenham made an enquiry for Higuain at the start of the season and that interest remains.
Higuain is well regarded at Madrid but it is understood that, despite public declarations that he is part of their future plans, they would listen to suitable offers.
Madrid may wait until they snap up another striker themselves before they let him go but there will be no shortage of interest in the Argentine.
Juventus also monitored his situation while Chelsea and Manchester City are also keen.
Andre Villas-Boas is a fan and he would like to take him to Tottenham but they may struggle without the attraction of Champions League football.
The Germany international is one of the new breed of players coming out of his country who can play with pace and attacking flair.
Leverkusen only bought him last year from Mainz in a £6million deal and his value has trebled as he continues to impress for club and country.
Chelsea scouts have been on his trail for some time as have Arsenal and Manchester United.
However, a firm offer has yet to be placed as Roman Abramovich weighs up his options including Wigan's Victor Moses.
The dark horse for Schurrle could prove to be Liverpool who remain keen to bring in the best young players in Europe. FC Twente's Luuk de Jong is also on their radar.
JUAN MANUEL VARGAS
Fiorentina to Liverpool
THE INSIDER says: 1/5
OLA TOIVONEN
PSV Eindhoven to Newcastle
THE INSIDER says: 3/5
Vargas has been on Liverpool's radar for the past two years and the Peru international has talked up his options in England with his agent saying Anfield is a possible destination.
But at 28 he is unlikely to be on Brendan Rodgers' current list. Liverpool are looking to bring in players who are 23 and under who can then generate a greater sell-on profit or grow as part of a successful group.
Rodgers is still trying to salvage a deal for Gylfi Sigurdsson and wants at least one more midfielder, a striker and cover in defence.
Liverpool are studying players in the Spanish and Dutch markets in particular in the hope of finding a gem but Vargas is likely to go elsewhere.
Toivonen at around £8m but English clubs are reluctant to pay more than £5m for a player who failed to live up to expectation at the European Championships with Sweden.
Toivonen is represented by former Sweden striker Martin Dahlin who has good connections in England. He was ready to take the player to Liverpool while Roy Hodgson was there and Sunderland and Tottenham have also shown interest.
Newcastle are eager to bring in another striker regardless of whether Demba Ba leaves or not and despite being confident on Luuk de Jong are still struggling to agree a fee.
A deal for Toivonen, albeit a different style of striker, may be easier.
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