Well, they don't get much bigger than this: reports in Italy are linking us with a double move costing in the region of £50million. We're talking 2 central midfielders, we're talking about possibly yhe only 2 players that anyone would think about preferring to Vieira and/or Petit. We're talking Zidane and Davids. See here for flannel.

Get over the fact that this one ain't happening, and the rest of the summer's transfer dealing disappointments will be child's play!

Meanwhile, the latest on Lauren (reported over the weekend to have signed for us)appears to be that Arsenal's valuation turns out to be less than Mallorca's. As we warned you yesterday, all the noise was coming from Mallorca. The usual games form the other side trying to force the issue. Usually, when the Arsenal are involved, this means the end of it.

Similarly, all the talk of Pires move being virtually sealed is coming from Marseilles.

Other reported targets include Barca's Bogarde, who is also being linked more realistically with Middlesbrough (Kluivert has been quoted as saying he'll miss Bogarde as they're mates, suggesting that Kluivert thinks he's staying in Spain.

And the rumours that Wenger is not happy with Manninger as Seaman's deputy, fuelled by the links with Sullivan, have been fanned further by talk of Metz keeper Lionel Letizi. Letizi is quoted as saying "For me, the situation is clear, I do not want to be a number two, but at Arsenal I would be David Seaman’s deputy and as long as there is competition for places, based on performances, I am happy. I would prefer to be a substitute in London rather than Paris. One thing is certain, I will not be staying with Metz". Letizi is said to have a great deal of experience for a 26-yr old (but experience with Metz, not Arsenal).