ARSENAL SPEND £150M IN ONE DAY

Only kidding. However, Arsenal are reportedly trying to capitalise on Everton’s poor financial state and sign both Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta.

Their pull to big names will be helped by last night 2-1 win against Udinese in Italy – the Gunners going through to today’s Champions League group-stage draw 3-1 on aggregate – and the Toffees duo would cost close to £30million, money which David Moyes could use to rejuvenate his ageing squad.

It is slightly ominous that Wenger should try to sign a Spaniard so soon after the departure of Cesc Fabregas, though. Is the Frenchman on the rebound?

CHELSEA SIGN MATA

Chelsea have completed the signing of Juan Mata on a five-year contract. Mata, formerly of Valencia, is Andre Villas-Boas’ fourth signing at Stamford Bridge and is thought to have cost around £23.5million.

Chelsea fans will be hoping that Mata can produce the kind of lightning-quick wing play that provided David Villa with so many goalscoring opportunities at Valencia. He will likely have ample opportunity if he makes his debut on Saturday, as Norwich are the visitors to Stamford Bridge.

SPURS LAND ADEBAYOR ON LOAN

Harry Redknapp has completed the loan signing of Emmanuel Adebayor from Manchester City. The striker is well known in North London, and has already alienated the red half of it.

The controversial striker left Arsenal under a cloud, and signing for Spurs is another slap in the face for Arsene Wenger’s team.

With a game against the Gunners at White Hart Lane on October 2nd, what are the odds that he comes back to bite his former employers’ hand again? Also at the Lane, Lassana Diarra is in advanced talks to sign.

BARTON WEIGHS UP THREE-YEAR QPR DEAL

Joey Barton last night underwent a medical at QPR after a day of talks at the West London club.

Barton would represent a fantastic signing for Neil Warnock’s side, and is instant proof that new chairman Tony Fernandes is willing to put his money where his mouth is with reports that the Newcastle player has been offered a three-year £60,000-a-week deal.

However, Rangers fans may be slightly peturbed to read that Barton said of his move: “Don’t want to leave Newcastle……..I’ve made that clear but my hands are tied.”

Meanwhile, QPR are reportedly interested in bringing Jermaine Jenas to the club on loan.

SUNDERLAND WANT SANTA CRUZ

There was a time when Roque Santa Cruz had the world at his quick Paraguayan feet. Having scored 23 goals in a season for Blackburn, he went to Man City for £17.5million.

Since then, however, he’s done little but warm City’s bench before making an underwhelming return to Blackburn on loan, scoring no goals in nine appearances.

As no goals in nine games is better than any of his strikers can manage, Steve Bruce is apparently interested in signing Santa Cruz, who would be available for a lot less than City paid for him.

Fingers crossed if Sunderland sign Santa Cruz, and he ever stays down injured, that Steve Bruce runs onto the field crying “Roque! Get up Rock, get up, ya bum!”

ON THE CONTINENT

Inter Milan are reportedly lining up a £25million bid for Real Madrid star Kaka.

Having been told Dimitar Berbatov is not for sale, PSG are turning their attentions to Arsenal’s Nicklas Bendtner.

Diego Forlan has been given permission by Atletico Madrid to speak to other clubs about a possible move.

OTHER NEWS

Last night’s Champions League qualifiers saw Arsenal joined in the group stage by Benfica, Plzen, Lyon and BATE Borisov. Fenerbahce, however, have been expelled from the competition due to a match-fixing investigation with Trabzonspor taking their place.

In last night’s Carling Cup shocks were at a premium as Liverpool, Everton, Bolton and Blackburn went through, but West Ham were beaten at home by League Two Aldershot.

Australian midfielder Brett Emerton, 32, will play his last game for Blackburn Rovers against Everton on Saturday before he heads home to play for Sydney FC.