FATIH IN GUNNERS CLAIM

JUST as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits to the probability of making one signing, another player claims to have received an offer from the North Londoners.

Wenger has been casting his net far and wide this summer and, as reported first on planetfootball.com, he is set to sign Brazilian midfielder Edu, from Corinthians.

Although the deal has still be concluded, with some questions still to be answered over his work permit (as he is not a full international), the likelihood is that The Gunners will try to push through their move for the 22-year-old.

"It is a possibility we will sign him," confirmed Wenger. "He is a young player, a midfield player, who is very strong. We might take a gamble but it is far from being done."

Edu himself has revealed that he is travelling to London for a medical, and he has already planned his living arrangements on his arrival, with several members of his family helping him to settle into life in England.

Furthermore, Corinthians have been under-fire from their supporters for agreeing to let the midfielder leave, and it is clear from the Brazilian end that they expect the deal to go through without any complications. However, Wenger is still preaching caution, wisely ahead of any potential dealings with the Department of Employment.

Meanwhile, as the link with Deportivo La Coruna`s Flavio Conceicao, another story first revealed on this site, emerges in other media sources, it is now being claimed that Fatih Aykel, who plays for Arsenal`s Uefa Cup final conquerors Galatasaray, is also wanted by Wenger.

"I have asked permission from the Galatasaray board to speak to Arsenal," Fatih has been reported as saying. "I expressed a wish to leave for this great club but, if they want me to stay, I will accept that and stay for another year."

Fatih, 22, who played in Euro 2000 for Turkey, is a centre half with a big reputation in his native Turkey. The Istanbul-born stopper has now played 18 times for his country, but again he would need to apply for a work permit, if he was to move to London.