No great surprise to see Chris Wreh leave. For some time now it's been simply a question of when and where. As rumoured a few weeks back, he's now reported to have signed for Saudi club Al Hilal for a whopping "undisclosed" fee (this has now been confirmed by AFCi).

The other move will raise more eyebrows, especially as it follows hot on the heels of another young home-grown Paolo Vernazza. But Graham Barrett's alleged move to Bristol Rovers is just for a month's loan (although there are also rumours from Bristol that it's 3 months).

Of course, as in the case of Matthew Upson, it's worth pointing out that these loan spells do often turn out to be nothing more. It did Ashley Cole no harm, for starters. Loan deals involving the likes of Wreh and Mendez go ahead without anyone ever taking the trouble to stress that it's not a prelude to a permanent move. So we look forward to seeing how Arsenal report Barrett's loan deal. If the story's true, that is.

Upson, incidentally, who missed Forest's last game with a back injury, has been given the all-clear by Arsenal physio Gary Lewin. He's set to play for Forest at the weekend.