It’s not even the end of the season yet and already the silly season’s underway. This morning’s Sun speculates that Arsene Wenger’s prepared to blow his entire transfer budget on Brede Hangeland.

It’s a typical transfer story from a tabloid. No quotes, or new information, just conjecture. Arsenal need a new centre back so they’ll be linked with anybody who is any good in this country and plenty more overseas. A few Gunners suggested on CCN the other day that our man might not fit as smoothly into their defensive system, with its high line that might expose Hangeland’s comparative lack of pace.

If it is on the money (and that’s a big if, especially as Wenger’s been heavily linked with the former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson, now at West Ham), then this presents an interesting problem for Fulham. They have said they’ll fight tooth and nail to keep Hangeland, but we probably can’t refuse a bid of £15m. Firm interest from Arsenal might make Brede think twice about signing that new contract.

Such has been Roy’s success in bringing the likes of Hangeland, Pantsil and Etuhu, I’d be happy to trust him to find a good replacement for Hangeland. I doubt we’d spend all the money on a new centre back (it could be used for crucial squad strengthening in other areas ahead of the new season) and the ideal scenario is that Brede goes nowhere. A win on Sunday would really help that cause.