Bridges burned or kept

This week, the Arsenal transfer rumours are about two stars possibly leaving. As one of them is Robin van Persie, the word "possibly" rings false for many of us Gooners. However, he hasn't left until he poses in another shirt on another club's website.

Where van Persie has burnt his bridges in the eyes of the fans, Alex Song hasn't. He insists that he is happy at Arsenal, even if he is aware of interest from other clubs. He even has the good sense to confirm that one of these interested parties are Barcelona, but that doesn't change his official stance as a player wanting to stay.

In the Daily Mail, the interest in Song is described as 'another unwanted headache' for Arsène Wenger. It's been reported earlier in the Guardian that the midfielder's desire to explore other options has rubbed the manager the wrong way, and that rumoured interest in Real Madrid's Nuri Sahin is a direct result.

But according to the Daily Telegraph, Arsenal are using any interest in Song to pry loose Cristian Tello, one of the brighter lights on the Barcelona bench. It all falls into a familiar pattern: rumours added to whispers on top of theories: 2+2 = 7,5.

All the while, Robin van Persie looks to have just one opportunity left: leaving Arsenal for Manchester United. Manchester City can't afford him without selling one of their current strikers, and Juventus seem to have lost their lure in the ongoing match-fixing scandal.

Sadly, his chances for trophies are arguably the same at United or even smaller. It might seem that the "direction" he disagrees with at Arsenal is too many midfielders in the squad, seeing as United lack in that department. All he can achieve is more money.

However, the mega-rich owners of Manchester City aren't predictable. The ongoing power struggle between manager Roberto Mancini and director Brian Marwood is being played out in front of the media. The puzzling signing of Jack Rodwell, another midfielder in a squad of plenty, doesn't suggest stability and cohesion either.

That's why Manchester City is still a possible destination. Perhaps the reportedly concrete interest from sir Alex Ferguson is what their neighbours need to get into gear?

Your guess is as good as mine.