On the day that Arsenal broke their record transfer fee on German playmaker Mesut Ozil, goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano also agreed to join the Gunners on a season long loan deal.

Joining from Palermo in Serie A, Viviano will provide competition for the floundering Wojciech Szczesny. The 27-year-old ‘keeper has 6 caps for Italy and 6 caps for the Italian side at the Olympics, and will join with an initial price tag of £1million with the option to buy.

The Palermo man spent last season on loan at Fiorentina, where he played 32 times, and has represented his country at every age level since U19, making his international debut in a 5-0 win over the Faroe Islands in 2010.

Raising the Ba

Also, the signing of Demba Ba on another season long loan could go ahead with the teams just stalling over the initial price.

Chelsea are asking for a hefty £3million for the striker’s services for the season, with Arsenal willing to pay only £1.5million. Ba was prolific in his time at Newcastle and West Ham scoring 42 times in his tenure in England.

Since just 6 of those goals have come for Chelsea, and having played just once under Mourinho this season, a loan deal would be best for both parties.

Slip up in Cabaye race

The Yohan Cabaye deal looks to be off though, in the most awkward of circumstances.

The French midfielder reportedly decided against a move to Arsenal after owner Mike Ashley played a recording of Arsenal’s negotiators saying he would be a reserve for them.

Ashley was said to have taped his discussions with the Gunners.

According to journalist James Pearce, he later played the French midfielder audio of an Arsenal negotiator saying “£25 million is a lot for a reserve”.

Arsenal never came back with a second bid for the Newcastle midfielder, with the successful negotiations with Ozil overshadowing the entire saga.

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