A decision will be made at the end of this season regarding signing him for next season, and talks with Palmeiras to that end are ongoing. "At the moment," says Wenger, "I am still looking for a keeper". The transfer window closes in a week.

Quotes from Le Boss on Sporting Life, and elsewhere, suggest that Marcos has "issues to resolve in his personal life" before signing for Arsenal. These "issues" are said to include his desire to bring members of his family with him, and the fact that his girlfriend is 4 months pregnant (well, it's one sort of "issue"... maybe he's been told to go home and marry the girl).

See the list of previous stories, to the right, for the back-story including hopeful quotes from Marcos (who seemed to think he's on his way, despite Wenger's playing it all down)