The Addicks have just made £10million from selling Scott Parker to Chelsea, and are releasing just one-hundredth of that to get hold of Thomas.

Although unproven, if Jerome fulfils his potential then the contrast between those amounts could prove to signal a famous coup. Curbishley is reported as saying, "I was going to sign him anyway before Scott left and it'll probably go through on Sunday. He can play wide left or wide right and also down the middle."

Thomas made a particularly good impression when he came on halfway through the second half of the League cup semi first leg.

Rupe adds...
The transfer was confirmed by Arsenal on Monday 2nd Feb, shortly before the transfer window closed.