This summer is already proving to be a strange one for Arsenal fans. Traditionally forced to wait until the wee small hours of transfer deadline day to see any sign of new players being hurried into The Emirates to the strained, screeching tones of Jim White, they've already seen their biggest player of the summer signed - in Alexis Sanchez - as well as two right-backs, a back-up 'keeper and three young prospects. And as Arsene Wenger - clearly high on the excitement of being able to actually plan for the start of the season with his new players in place - keeps suggesting, they're not quite done yet in the transfer market, both in terms of incoming deals and outgoing ones. The biggest impending move into North London looks to be Portugal and Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho, who is on the verge of a wallet-busting £24m move, according to reports in his native land (via The Daily Mail). That would represent a very significant deal for Wenger; not least because it addresses his team's long-running need for a defensive midfielder, but also because Carvalho was linked to Man Utd for a good while. Carvalho has a transfer fee release clause in his contract - reportedly set at around £37m - but Sporting are in need of funds and are apparently willing to take less for one of their star assets, who would line up in midfield alongside Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as the most likely first-team starters. That makes for some seriously impressive team-sheet reading, even if it might spell the end of Sami Khedira's protracted transfer saga. Meanwhile, Thomas Vermaelen is edging closer to the door, with a move to Barcelona - and not Man Utd - looking the most likely destination after he refused to sign a new contract at the Emirates. Are you happy with this business? Share your thoughts below in the comments thread.
