For a week or so, the press has been telling us that Andy Johnson’s family are happily settled in the North West. As a result, Wigan were the firm favourites to bag the Everton man with the bald pate and speedy whirring legs. Now though, a completely different rumour is circulating.

The Independent reports that:

Everton manager David Moyes have been linked with a move for the Tottenham striker Darren Bent as Fulham emerged as the latest club to be interested in signing Andy Johnson. Bent is surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane, though a stumbling block to any deal could be Spurs’ insistence on recouping most of the £16.5m the forward cost from Charlton last summer. Meanwhile, it is reported that Johnson, who joined Everton from Crystal Palace two years ago, is keener on a return to London. That will disappoint both Sunderland and Wigan, who are both strongly interested in the England forward, with Fulham expected to make a bid this week. (Independent)

Wherever Johnson ends up, one thing is certain - David Moyes must be pleased with the amount of interest that his striker is generating, even though he professes not to want to sell him. What must be worrying to Evertonians though is that Everton are having to sell in the first place; do Everton’s transfer funds lie in an Andy Johnson sale?