Blues make surprise move and other red-hot gossip

(02-01-2011) Chelsea have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd. According to reports, the Blues are prepared to pay £2m for the 28-year-old Englishman who is out of contract in the summer. Birmingham and West Ham are also interested. Elsewhere, Liverpool are leading Arsenal in the race to sign Germany and Werder Bremen centre-back Per Mertesacker; Tottenham’s £15m flop David Bentley is set to move to Newcastle as Spurs make room for the possible arrival of David Beckham; former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen will leave Stoke for Swansea in January; and Aston Villa and Wigan want to sign Manchester United striker Federico Macheda on loan for the rest of the season.