Meanwhile rumours persist that Neil Sullivan is talking to Arsenal.

But it's that time of year when they regurgitate the last season's rumours as a kind-of warm up to the serious b****cks of the summer transfer rumour market.

And of course, Van Gall's leaving Barca so our Mr Wenger's being looked at by them. So maybe we'll be swapping our French stars for their Dutch ones. The theory that there might be a may Dutch clear-out at Barca is undermined by the Dutchness of one of the serious candidates, Ronald Koeman.

The signing of Lauren appears to have been confirmed. "The deal will be officially signed (by Arsenal) when Lauren passes his medical exam in the next days,.html" but be warned: this quote is from Mallorca vice president Mateo Alemany. Still nothing from Arsenal.