If, over the past few months, Liverpool supporters have tired of reading stories about megastars being on the verge of joining the club, only for Sami Hyypia and Sammy Westerveld to arrive at Anfield, they will be relieved to hear that several media sources offered firm evidence last week that the club is, very definitely, about to complete the signing of a very big name.

The proof? "The club has completed the purchase of a £1.2 million house in Southport, in preparation for the arrival of a big signing," claimed Team Talk. All of which reminds us of another football rumour floating around the north west of England these days, which suggests that a certain unnamed footballer (hint: `Roy Keane') has applied for planning permission for a large extension to his pad, proof positive, we are told, that he won't actually be leaving his club when his contract expires at the end of the season. Mmm. Maybe he just wants to boost its sale value before he sets off for Turin.