In other news, the same news

The sports pages of Britain's papers may look like a lot is happening on the transfer front at Arsenal. Sadly, the news aren't really new. They've already happened and been reported on.

So: a) Cesc Fábregas is finally leaving for Barcelona. At least when Barcelona stump up the money. Or Arsenal have a replacement. Or both. This recurring theme has been with us all summer.

Replacement? But: b) Arsenal are about to sign Juan Mata from Valencia, aren't they? For 15 million pounds. Or Euros. Or even 17.5 million pounds. With or without add-ons.

There will be a point in the book for the Daily Mail and reporter Alex Kay if that particular rumour comes true. However, Mata himself has said he won't leave, and Valencia management claims there have been no bid, more than a month after Kay's first report. Tactics? Smokescreens? While Mata's entourage has flown in, as the Daily Mirror puts it?

Mata may well be a target, and the deal may well hinge on the future of Fábregas. All I'm saying is: remember Scott Parker and all the reports of his imminent signing back in May? It never happened.

My guess (and unlike others I admit to guessing) is that Mata's 'entourage' have called ahead before flying in. And they haven't called London Colney, but Fleet Street. Like they first did a month ago.

Anyway: c) Arsène Wenger is really keen on Phil Jagielka, keen enough to upping his bid to 15 million pounds. Not 10 million, like last week. Or 12 million, like last year. Or 17 million, like Everton wanted last week. Or 18 million, like Everton wants today, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Reporter Jeremy Wilson has a cool enough head to remind us all that Everton got 22 million pounds for Joleon Lescott two years ago. What would they want for a defender who's actually a bit good?

In other news: d) Samir Nasri is staying, says the Daily Star... wait, Wenger already said that two and a half weeks ago.

Well, then: e) Nicklas Bendtner is looking to finalise his move to Sporting Lisbon, the Press Association reports. Like he was about to finalise his move to Benfica? Or Besiktas? Or Borussia Dortmund? It's no coincidence that I list the clubs alphabetically. Bendtner has been linked with 19 different clubs this summer.

Like with Gaël Clichy in Manchester, however, the Sporting Lisbon rumours are said to have photographic evidence to back them up. We wait with baited breath to see the images of a Dane in Portugal. Vacationing? Or plotting his future? If anyone gets to see the pictures, I'll be happy to link to them.

My conclusion is that there are no real news. At least not yet. There have been reports of a deadline that Arsenal have set for Barcelona when it comes to meeting the evaluation of Fábregas, said to be 40 million pounds. I don't believe there is any other deadline than the end of the transfer window, nor any absolute amount until the clubs have negotiated thoroughly.

I'll be quite happy to speculate further tomorrow. But don't forget: your guess is as good as mine, and more often than not as good as what you read in the papers.