Silly Season Top 5 - third installment

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Credible top 5:

Out: Brede Hangeland: all mentions of the Norwegian has disappeared in the media the last week. Perhaps he'll be linked with Arsenal again in 2011...

5. (3) Yoann Gourcuff: a rumour that has also quieted down, but not entirely.

4. (4) Mark Schwarzer: perhaps the right kind of goalkeeper for Arsenal to sign at 37, while we're waiting for Wojcech Szczesny to come of age. But not at several million pounds, IMHO.

3. (1) Pape Diakhaté: Linked consistently throughout the summer. Any deal might depend on the future of Gallas and Campbell, who have yet to sign new deals.

2. (2) Laurent Koscielny: various sources report that Arsenal have had bids turned down. This might mean negotiations are under way. Or not.

1. (new) Joe Cole: moved from Silly top 5 last time! The wage demands seem to be met Sol Campbell style with a multi-million pound sign-on fee. There are numerous other clubs chasing the free agent, who was released by Chelsea yesterday. However, for some reason the strongest links lately have been to Arsène Wenger and Arsenal.

Silly top 5:

5. Phil Jones: has only just signed a long-term contract with Blackburn, but STILL linked by the Mirror today...

4. Giuseppe Rossi: a Villarreal striker who can't get in the USA World Cup squad... Nah. [added: Rossi is an Italian international, but still. He wasn't good enough for Manchester United either.]

3. Alexander Hleb: really, really wants to come back. Won't.

2. Paul Robinson: yes, Arsenal have been linked even with the former Leeds and Spurs goalkeeper, reputed to have had one of the worst trials ever at London Colney. However, the only source with the cojones to have made THAT link is sport.co.uk...

1. Gonzalo Higuain: the Real Madrid striker would've considered signing for Arsenal. If he hadn't extended his contract, that is. That's the essence of this Sun 'scoop'...

We're at 102 targets and counting. See for yourself.