Brazil's World Cup winner Marcos is said to be due in London this evening, for talks with the Arsenal. A fee of £2.5 million has apparently been agreed between the English double winners and Marcos' current club Palmeiras. The stories seem to be originating in Brazil.

Marcos certainly fits the bill as an experienced rather than up-and-coming signing. He played a key role in last year's triumph in Japan and South Korea, playing with Gilberto in all Brazil's games. Although defence was hardly the most prominent feature of Brazil's torunament, he did make some key saves in the final against Germany. See this BBC page for an assessment of the player's tournament, including comments on his relationship with the WC-winning coach Scolari, and some interesting historical facts on Brazilian goalkeepers.

He's had a frustrating time since returning from the World Cup, with Palmeiras, who he's been with since 1993, having been relegated to the 2nd division.

Marcos has a game to play in Brazil on Friday, so don't expect to be introduced to him at the Farnborough game on Saturday. Some reports say that the deal is for next season, with the player not arriving till the summer. Which would be interesting given that we thought the point was that Rami Shaaban's injury means Arsenal needed cover for the rest of this season, and that Le Boss didn't want to sign someone who would get in the way of the progress of Shaaban and Taylor.

If the reports are true, then the point of this signing is surely that it finally signals the end of David Seaman's Arsenal career, while at the same time demonstrating that Wenger does have faith in Taylor to be our number 2 number 1. (Shaaban looks to be out for the rest of the season).

We'll see.

Rupe adds...
In Wednesday's papers, a spokesman from Palmeiras is quoted as saying that Arsenal do in fact want to sign Marcos with immediate effect, but the player is not so keen to move before the summer.