It's an old saying in football but Rafa Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson are taking little notice in the January transfer window as they bid to strengthen their squads.

It looks as though Manchester United's quest to land Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich will finally bear fruit.

Hargreaves is expected to be fit again in a fortnight after breaking a leg in September following a superb summer in Germany when he was in England's best player - and this after years of being derided as a journeyman.

The price tag on Hargreaves is £15 million and such is Ferguson's desire to land the midielder that Bayern are confident the valuation will be met.

United, who host Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Sunday, are also chasing teenage Southampton teenage sensation Gareth Bale.

The 17-year-old left back has excelled for the Saints this season and is wanted by every club in the Premiership, but United are favourites despite having a £5 million bid rejected. Expect an improved offer from Old Trafford for the Welshman.

Liverpool, who face Arsenal in the Cup tomorrow night, are also going to be active in the transfer market this month with Australian Lucas Neill set to arrive at Anfield.

And he may be joined by Argentina's Javier Mascherano who has had a nightmare time since arriving on loan at West Ham.

Mascherano has played just seven games for the Hammers this season and is desperate to leave.

Benitez aims to offer him a way out with another loan deal although that will have to be sanctioned by FIFA as rules state that players are not allowed to play for three clubs in one season. Previously Mascherano played for Corinthians in Brazil.

There should be no such problems for Blackburn's Neill, who, like Mascherano, impressed in the World Cup.