Most of it will be loans, however, and it looks like the first is going to be Sebastien Svard. He's been at Copenhagen for most of the season so far, but it's been a disappointing and frustrating time for the promising midfielder as he's not been getting much time on the pitch. So he came back from Denmark for Christmas (they're on a winter break) with his heart set on joining a 1st division club for a while. Walsall wanted him but have conceded the chase to Stoke City cos the Potters could pay him more. He is expected to be signing on loan when his arrangement with FC Copenhagen runs out next week.

It'll be best for Arsenal if he gets to play some more. Svard was looking more and more like a serious competitor for the role played by Gilberto and Edu (and, all too infrequently, Ray Parlour), and a few months of him doing sod-all in Denmark is no good to anyone.

Another who could be on the way out is Moritz Volz. Fulham are very keen to sign the young German Gunner on a permanent basis. And given Arsenal's choice not to recall him to cover for Lauren's long absence, he must be feeling that his chance at Arsenal has all but gone. Cottagers boss Chris Coleman has been quoted as saying that a deal is very close - all they need to do is to finalise personal terms with the player.

Igors Stepanovs is another who may be switching to a 1st divisino club. The reports suggest a loan but it's hard to see the point of keeping him on. We're not going to use him in the first team again, are we?

Arsene Wenger has been quoted as saying that Arsenal are unlikely to buy before the summer... "I don't see any reasonable target. If I change my mind, I'll let you know but we don't want to buy for the sake of buying. " He did however say that money was available if the right target came available, so there's still potential for some press speculation over the coming weeks.

One player who apparently won't be leaving is Sylvain Wiltord. Wenger has been quoted as saying, "He has a contract proposal but the talks are on stand-by until March or April. Then we will decide, him and me."

Arsenal's record signing, Wiltord will be a free agent in the summer and could leave for nothing if the contract isn't sprted out by then. One has to assume that the board would not be keen on that scenarion, especially if Wiltord is used as infrequently between the transfer window and the summer as he has been recently. But Wenger seems to think it's up to him, and history suggests he's right. "It is simple," he says, "I want him to stay here. He has had an unhappy period, during which time he picked up a number of injuries. But he is now in a good mental state and has a large will to return which is shown by how hard he is working. I am positive that by the end of the season he will prove to be an important player for us."

In January Wiltord will be able to talk to other clubs about signing for them in the summer.