The poor agents involved in trying to get Liverpool and Aston Villa to agree over a fee for Gareth Barry look like they have as difficult a job as the RT Hon Tony Blair, now envoy for the Middle East. Whilst Rafa Benitez wastes half his summer trying to secure the services of Barry, other potential targets are quickly disappearing out of sight.

Sporting Lisbon star and Portuguese Euro 2008 squad member Miguel Veloso has made no secret of his desire to move on this summer, stating “England may be a good destination”. Veloso is a cultured midfielder with that little bit of bite needed in the Premiership. Whilst most of England’s top teams have had a sniff at some point in the last year or so, AC Milan now look to be at the head of the queue.

“Milan are keen to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso, according to the player’s agent. He has been linked with a string of leading European clubs, with Milan now weighing up a big-money bid for the 22-year-old.”

Veloso has a release-fee of €30m (£24m), but Sporting are willing to negotiate. He would certainly look good in a Milan team for the future with Kaká and Alexandre Pato. But are Liverpool fans looking for a hot prospect for the future, a household name from England or a continental star? Man Utd have been long-time admirers, but will they seriously consider spending big on another central midfielder after Hargreaves and Carrick?