Transfer Talk: Edinson Cavani to Arsenal; Sebastian Coates to West Brom; Wesley Sneijder to Liverpool; Yoan Gouffran to Newcastle

The Independent's Martin Hardy analyses today's January transfer window stories and separates the reality from the rumour

Player: Mario Balotelli

Club: Manchester City

Possible move to: AC Milan

Time left on deal: Two-and-a-half years

The story: AC Milan officials have been in talks with Balotelli's representatives about a possible £24m move. Balotelli's relationship with Mancini is as strained as it has been and he can't get in the City team.

Chance of moving: Three stars

Player: Edinson Cavani

Club: Napoli

Possible move to: Arsenal

Time left on deal: Two-and-a-half years

The story: Arsene Wenger has admitted he likes the forward and he wants to add to his squad during the transfer window. Wenger also knows he would have to pay big and might wait until the summer.

Chance of moving: Three stars

Player: Sebastian Coates

Club: Liverpool

Possible move to: West Brom

Time left on deal: Three-and-a-half years

The story: Coates has never settled in Liverpool since he moved there in 2011. Liverpool want to off-load and West Brom boss Steve Clarke, who worked with the player at Anfield, remains a fan.

Chance of moving: Four stars

Player: Yoan Gouffran

Club: Bordeaux

Possible move to: Newcastle

Time left on deal: Six months

The story: Newcastle HAVE to sign a striker in the transfer window and Gouffran is the latest name to be mentioned. Would be cheap with his deal ticking down but his goalscoring record in France is not great.

Chance of moving: Three stars

Player: Wesley Sneijder

Club: Inter Milan

Possible move to: Liverpool

Time left on deal: Two-and-a-half years

The story: Sneidjer has fallen out of favour at Inter and has been talked about as coming to the Premier League for years. Brendan Rodgers need some quality but the cost is high for the modern Liverpool.

Chance of moving: One star