A frenzied start to football’s transfer window promises to leave managers, chairmen, agents and supporters in a daze. Tottenham Hotspur captured Gareth Bale for a fee that could rise to £10 million from Southampton on Friday, but that deal has been overshadowed by Manchester United’s entry into the market.

United have signalled their intention to retain the Barclays Premiership trophy by agreeing deals to sign Nani, the Sporting Lisbon winger, and Anderson, the FC Porto playmaker, and The Times’s comprehensive guide to the summer sales keeps you up to date with the latest moves and transfer targets.

José Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, will be given up to £50 million to wrest the title from United and win the Champions League. But new owners of other clubs are likely to flex their muscles with Aston Villa, West Ham United and Manchester City planning to speculate to accumulate.

West Ham offered about £8 million for Scott Parker, the Newcastle United midfield player, last night. Parker moved to Newcastle for £6.5 million from Chelsea two years ago. Tottenham have expressed an interest in the player but his high wages are a problem.

West Ham have told Anton Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora that they will not be allowed to leave. Ferdinand, the defender, has not always seen eye-to-eye with Alan Curbishley and is wanted by Tottenham and Newcastle. But Ferdinand’s blossoming partnership with James Collins persuaded his manager that he has a future at Upton Park.

Thierry Henry has done little to dampen speculation that he may leave Arsenal this summer. The forward has been linked with Barcelona again. “Since I started playing football there has been speculation about me going to a lot of clubs,” Henry said. “For now, I’m an Arsenal player. So there is nothing to add to it.”

Henry said he was frustrated by Arsenal not being able to compete with the top two teams. “I’m getting annoyed that we’re finishing at the end of the top four now,” he said. “Sometimes having a lot of youngsters in your squad – I’m not trying to look for any excuses – you cannot have the same spirit, the same results.

Aston Villa have told Burnley that they want £1 million for Eric Djemba-Djemba, the midfield player. Idan Tal may return to Maccabi Haifa, his former club. The Bolton Wanderers midfield player has a year left on his contract. He joined on a free transfer last summer.

Wigan Athletic hope to complete the permanent signing of Antonio Valencia after the Ecuador winger spent last season on loan from Villarreal. Andreas Granqvist, the defender, has also been offered a permanent deal at the JJB Stadium after his loan from Helsingborg. Wigan are also looking at Gavin McCann, the Aston Villa midfield player.

Birmingham City are interested in Stuart Parnaby, the utility player who rejected a contract at Middlesbrough. He is out of contract. Coventry City are in talks to sign Robbie Simpson, the Cambridge United striker.

Oldham Athletic are to sign Lee Hughes when the former West Bromwich Albion forward is released from prison this summer. Hughes has not played professional football since he was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in August 2004 after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. Burnley have signed Gabor Kiraly, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper who played on loan for Aston Villa, on a two-year deal.

Lee Hendrie claims to have attracted interest from Derby County. The midfield player, who was on loan at Stoke City last season, has been told that he can leave Aston Villa. “My dad [Paul Hendrie] has always played a big role with my contracts and it will be the same again,” he said. “He spoke to Derby last Sunday and thinks there might be something there for me. Derby didn’t want to make any decisions until after the play-offs final.”

Linvoy Primus is close to agreeing a new contract. The Portsmouth defender wants another year on top of his deal, which expires next summer.