They were the originally Premier League big spenders in the early 1990s but those heady days could return to Blackburn thanks to a proposed takeover.

Back in the early days of the Premier League local businessman-made-good Jack Walker pledged to turn his local side, then still in the old division two, into the champions of England.

He transformed the ramshackle stadium into one of the country’s finest and funded the signings of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton as Rovers burst into the top division and finally topped the tree back in 1995.

The club have never come close to scaling those heights since, even dropping into the Championship for two years at the turn of the century. But they have since cut their cloth accordingly, establishing themselves in the top flight as a solid well run outfit.

But the Lancashire club – who marked ten years since Walker’s death this week – could be in the big money market again after a “cordial and productive meeting” with Indian businessman Ahsan Ali Syed’s company was held this week. Right now, the Premier League odds suggest the side are doing well to finish in the top half of the table, but all that could change.

The 36-year-old is believed to have around £300 million to fund any such takeover, with £100 million of that to given to boss Sam Allardyce to spend on players.

Unfortunately for big Sam the days of buying players like Shearer for just £3.5 million are long gone and £100 million is not enough to buy the team the title, just look at Manchester City. They certainly couldn’t make themselves Premier League betting favourites just by spending that sort of cash.

But what it could mean is a real chance to cement themselves in the top half of the league and push for Europe. Once playing continental competition the club can then look to build upwards.

Big Sam had already proven what he can do on a limited budget during his time at Bolton, where they were regularly competing in Europe.

A spending splurge could see Rovers emulate their county rivals and with some big money backing perhaps go further.

Exciting times could be ahead at Ewood.

Five years have passed since Arsenal last won a major trophy, and it’s just possible that in what seems increasingly likely to be Wenger’s last year with the Gunners, the Frenchman may be battling not only to win a trophy for the team, but also to secure his legacy as Arsenal’s greatest ever manager.

Had Wenger led the Gunners to their first Champions League success back in 2006, or successfully defended the Premier League trophy following any of his three successes, he could have walked away knowing that few Gooners or English Premier League betting pundits would be able to dispute his status as the Gunners’ greatest ever manager.

However, after five seasons that have represented a disappointing trophy drought, Wenger is under pressure to live up to the ‘in Arsene we trust’ belief held by Gooners. With this trust becoming more and more strained, Wenger knows that his ability to replace veteran defenders Sol Campbell and William Gallas with another Vermaelen rather than a Cygan, could decide his legacy.

With Wenger himself openly admitting to those who bet on football the need to bring in defensive reinforcements, and aware of the growing sense of frustration from fans who have failed to see the Gunners reach even a major final since 2008, this is the time to deliver success in any of the 4 major trophies.

With Wenger unlikely to change his strategy of using the Carling Cup as a training competition for youth players, the FA Cup is a competition that many Arsenal fans will be hoping he takes more seriously this season.

Following semi-final disappointment in 2009, with Arsenal fans bewildered by Wenger’s decision not to pick the in-form Andrei Arshavin, and a humiliating 3-1 defeat at Stoke last season, during which a vastly inexperienced Arsenal side came grossly unstuck at the Britannia stadium, Wenger may need to reconsider how he views one of the world’s greatest domestic competitions.

And it’s a warm welcome back to the big time for Joey Barton. Everyone’s favourite cheeky Scouser is out to prove a point to his many Premier League betting critics.

Last season Newcastle managed to win the Championship without the midfielder. Barton only managed 15 appearances due to injury. His confidence is still there, stating this week he is as good as anyone in the country in his position. Barton added he was confident of getting back into the England squad and adding to his single international cap.

Despite his enfant terrible tag, the fact remains that Barton is a quality player. Before his various disciplinary troubles, many in England viewed him as one of the best central midfielders in the Premiership.

His passing ability is up there with the best and his tough tackling style is essential to his team. His inability to channel that aggression has been Barton’s biggest fault so far in his career.

After spending 77 days in jail for assault, Barton pledged to turn his life around. He promised to repay Newcastle for sticking with him. It didn’t turn out like that though.

After returning from another injury lay-off, Barton was sent off against Liverpool, as Newcastle struggled to stave off relegation. In the dressing room afterwards, a reported bust up occurred between Barton and then manager Alan Shearer.

Barton was given an indefinite ban for his behaviour and against all pre-season Premier League betting odds, Newcastle were relegated.

The Liverpool born midfielder will be looking to remind everyone of his ability this season. After missing so much football over the last three years, Barton will be raring to go come the season opener against Blackburn on the 14th August.

I think Fulham have done a fantastic bit of business in luring Martin Jol away from Ajax and back to the Premier League.

Apart from a thoroughly likeable manager, they are getting someone with a decent track record and European experience – attributes many Cottagers probably thought they had seen the back of when Roy Hodgson left for Liverpool, indeed the football betting suggested they could be fighting for their top flight lives.

In Jol they have a coach he has a point to prove. I doubt he would say it out loud but he was very harshly treated at Tottenham.

A poor start to the 2006/07 season saw the board panic just three games into the season and the Dutchman was immediately under pressure. Juande Ramos was allegedly offered the job at the end of August while Jol was still in charge.

Who knows exactly what went on behind the scenes but it seems the writing was on the wall before he was drummed out three months into the season.

This was despite leading the club to consecutive fifth placed finishes and being a dodgy lasagne away from leading the club into the Champions League.

It should also be noted that some of the players he brought in – Gareth Bale Aaron Lennon, Michael Dawson, and Tom Huddlestone – formed a crucial part of last year’s fourth placed side. Dimitar Berbatov was sold on at a £20 million profit just two years after he signed and even two of his perceived failures, Kevin Prince Boetang and Younes Kaboul, have proven to be handy players.

If Jol had been able to continue his work at Spurs I feel he would have taken them into the Champions League earlier than Harry Redknapp has.

The Premier League 2010/11 betting had suggested Fulham could struggle, with Jol at the helm they should do well.

With that burning sense of injustice inside him, I think he will do a great job at Craven Cottage. He won’t have the same resources as he did at White Hart Lane but the alleged £20 million transfer kitty given to him by Mohammed Al Fayed is handy enough. And with a decent backbone already in place last season’s Europa League final could indeed be the start of an exacting new era rather than the end of one as most people have been predicting.