Transfer Talk: James McCarthy to Everton; Wilfried Zaha to Manchester United; Philippe Coutinho to Aston Villa

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

Philippe Coutinho (GETTY IMAGES)

Player: Matty Derbyshire

Club: Notts Forest

Possible move to: Portland Timbers

Time left on deal: 18 months

The story: Derbyshire is attracting major attention from the major league. The chance of a switch to America could appeal to the 26-year-old, who has scored goals on loan at Oldham this season.

Chance of moving: Four stars

Player: Wilfried Zaha

Club: Crystal Palace

Possible move to: Manchester United

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

The story: Zaha is one of the hottest properties in the country and Sir Alex Ferguson is eager to land the young forward. There was competition from Spurs, but United appear to have blown them out of the water with a package worth £12million

Chance of moving: Four stars

Player: Jonas Olsson

Club: West Brom

Possible move to: QPR

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

The story: Harry Redknapp desperately needs a commanding centre half with Premier League experience and Olsson is having one of the best seasons of his career. A possible sale clause of £4million in the summer has alerted Redknapp that West Brom might be willing to do business now.

Chance of moving: Three stars

Player: James McCarthy

Club: Wigan

Possible move to: Everton

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

The story: Everton boss David Moyes used the transfer well last year to land Nikica Jelavic and he could about to repeat the trick. He wants to strengthen the centre of his midfield with doubt over the long-term future of Marouane Fellaini.

Chance of moving: Three stars

Player: Philippe Coutinho

Club: Inter Milan

Possible move to: Aston Villa

Time left on deal: Two-and-half years

The story: No club needs new players quite as much as Aston Villa, whose season is falling apart around them. Coutinho's agent claims Villa have been in touch, now they need to come up with the funds to do a deal.

Chance of moving: Three stars