Rumours of the arrival of Gilberto Silva at Highbury gather momentum with Tribalfootball.com claiming that a director from his club, Atletico Mineiro is on his way to London to seal the deal.

'The Brazil international's agent is travelling with (Alexandre) Kalil as the Gunners appear to have elbowed their way to the head of the queue for Gilberto,' they reckon. 'It's reported that Arsenal have offered £5 million for the World Cup winner, while Mineiro are demanding £6.5 million.'

The official Mineiro site is remarkably candid, saying that Kalil has indeed flown to Europe to discuss a transfer - but doesn't say where. It does say that representatives spoke to unnamed clubs in England in early July, and that they have already rejected bids from Villareal (£3.8m) and Fenerbache (£5m).