WITH Christmas just around the corner, the transfer window on the horizon and the end of the world averted, Edmund Crosthwaite takes a look at some of the transfers which could command some apocalyptic fees.

Top of the league on that front is Chelsea (who else), who are reported in the Daily Star as needing to cough up �30m to prise Paolo Guerrero away from Corinthians. The striker scored his side’s winner against Rafael Benitez’s side in the Club World Cup final.

Brendan Rogers is still splashing the cash over at Anfield as he turns his attention on Birmingham and England ‘keeper Jack Butland. Rogers is also likely to bring Thomas Ince and Daniel Sturrdige to Merseyside in the New Year.

At the slightly less expensive end of the scale, Manchester United have targeted Ezequiel Garay as the man to boost their shaky defence. The 26-year-old could cost them around �15m, according to the Sun, although this is more likely to happen at the end of the season.

Up on Tyneside the Geordies have apparently agreed a deal for Loic Remy, the 25-year-old Marseille striker. Alan Pardew has agreed to pay �10m for Remy, report the Daily Mirror, and the transfer could pave the way for Demba Ba to leave the club.

Also potentially on his way out is Blackburn stopper Paul Robinson. The 33-year-old former England No. 1 is said by the Daily Mail to be interesting West Ham, West Brom, Southampton and Fulham.

Arsenal seem to be failing to bring people in but could ship out left back Andre Santos, say the Sun. That’s if his potential suitors Galatasaray can stump up at least �5m for the Brazilian to help Arsenal reclaim much of the �6.8m they paid for him last season.

Reading look to have beaten the Gunners to the signing of Zambian international striker Felix Stoppila Sunzu. No potential transfer fee has been disclosed but French paper L’Equipe are reporting the 23-year-old could travel to England to sign the paperwork after an international against Tanzania.

Finally, according to the Daily Mail, Paul Scholes will retire for a second time at the end of the season and it is likely Ryan Giggs will follow suit.

And the odds of 5000-1 would discourage most hardened betters from putting money on the rehearsal and actual draws for the Champions League being identical. But that’s what happened when the teams were picked yesterday. The first sign of impending doom? Probably not.