In this week's peek around the league: the silly season explodes with a virtual feast of wild rumours, revelatory links and rampant speculation.

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Preston North End, currently in a torrid fight for Championship survival, are reportedly ready to up their bid for New England strike ace Taylor Twellman. An initial transfer offer of $1.6 million was quickly brushed away, but the Lilywhites may now ante up an additional 25%.

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The Chicago Fire look to be the next team to line up a jersey sponsorship deal. Electronics giant Best Buy is poised to pay rights to have their name on the Fire kit for the 2008 season. Terms of the deal have yet to be announced. 

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AZ Alkmaar winger Kiki Musampa could be headed to the United States. The former Ajax, Atlético Madrid, Bordeaux and Malaga winger is considering options in either Russia or in Major League Soccer after the Cheese Farmers splashed cash to land hot shot left-sider Simon Poulsen from FC Midtjylland.

The 30-year old appeared 25 times for Dutch Youth National teams, but has never received a cap with the full senior squad. 

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San Jose have sealed the acquisition of former netminder Joe Cannon from Los Angeles. The Quakes picked up the local boy in exchange for allocation money.

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Colombian newspaper El Colombiano have reported that Juan Pablo Angel's first club, Atlético Nacional, made a loan offer to the New York Red Bulls for the star striker's services in 2008. The paper claims Nacional deemed RBNY's demands too high, and therefore, negotiations have faltered. 

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The LA Galaxy have lost defender Ante Jazic until at least May due to a right ankle operation just before New year's Day.

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The Chicago Fire's coaching search appears to be down to one. The Fire had narrowed their search to Denis Hamlett and former Colorado Rapids player John Spencer, who has rejected the chance.

The Dynamo assistant told the Houston Chronicle, "I got offered the job in Chicago, accepted it and sat down to try and negotiate a contract, but we couldn't come to terms."

"It wasn't much more money than I (was making) here with the Dynamo, and I felt that to move my family to another state and all the upheaval and such, I just didn't think it was worth it, so I turned it down.''  

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The Guillermo Barros Schelotto story continues to unfold. General manager Mark McCullers told the Columbus Dispatch that despite offers being made to Schelotto to return to his native Argentina, he fully expects the Argentine playmaker to return to Columbus in 2008. 

The Crew exec also claimed he was closing in on a veteran European forward he believes 'can contend for the Golden Boot' - but isn't naming names.

At the same time, the Soccer Insider is reporting that the Columbus Crew are interested in pursuing a designated player. The player the Crew are reportedly interested in is Nigeria international Jay Jay Okocha. The creative wizard is currently playing for Hull City of the English Championship.

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The line forming for Chivas USA keeper Brad Guzan is growing. According to Sky Sports, Auxerre, Liverpool and Olympiakos have joined the crowd forming around the US international.

While Guzan remains in camp with the 'Nats, out of contract Fire keeper Matt Pickens was given permission by Bob Bradley to fly off for a trial with Championship strugglers Norwich City. The 25-year old doesn't seem a good bet for UK Home Office work permit approval, but apparently other European teams are also monitoring the situation.

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Fresh from spurning a Standard Liege offer to re-sign with MLS, Real Salt Lake striker Alecko Eskandarian now appears headed to Chivas USA in a trade. The Salt Lake Tribune has the forward headed to the Goats for a big cap space allocation.