Barrett's contract at Arsenal is up in the summer. He's been doing well on loan at Brighton, and obviously fancies his chances of continuing to do so, and giving himself a good chance of a better move then. We'd like to think he has a chance of staying and getting some first team action at Arsenal, but the odds have to be against it. Good luck to him, and to Brighton (my second team!) for whom this news will come as some consolation for the loss of Steven Sidwell.

Meanwhile, this Birmingham City site reckons that Matty Upson will complete his move there tomorrow, following a medical, despite reports in today's papers that Leeds United were planning to hi-jack his move. The idea was that Venables wants to replace Woodgate, who is said to be on his way to Newcastle (why don't we hi-jack thatdeal, to replace Upson?!)

Rupe adds...
See This is Mid Sussex (!) for "sour grapes" quotes from the Preston chairman, saying that Barrett was asking for too much money. "It now looks like he might spend the rest of the season with Brighton and where may he crop up after that?" Errr... somewhere better than Preston, probably (no offence).