Chelsea have confirmed that out-of-contract Reading midfielder Sidwell has agreed to join them on July 1, and from what I can gather Sam didn't exactly burst a gut to try and get him. But Freddy Shepherd did confirm he himself was looking at the situation ... which brings with it it's own worries.
As for Viduka, again it seems as though Shepherd is more keen to get the Australian striker than Sam, simply because Fred has tracked him for two years. And as we know ... without much success.
As for Allardyce's bid to lure Sol Campbell to St James's Park, it appears to be doomed to failure after Harry Redknapp warned the Newcastle manager that he is wasting his time.