Three players Arsenal need

Marouane Fellaini, £24m, Everton

The reality is simple: if Arsenal want a player who will add necessary physicality to their side, they need only match Everton’s release clause. That in itself would indicate whether this summer represents a departure: it would beat their previous record by £9m, before higher-profile signings come in.

Wayne Rooney, £35m, Manchester United

One that still isn’t that outlandish, despite David Moyes’ comments on Friday. It does appear true that United’s position has changed since Alex Ferguson’s departure, and that they would now prefer to keep Rooney, but altering the forward line would not necessarily be seen as the worst move. If they can bring in someone like Robert Lewandowski, the Rooney sale may actually happen

James McCarthy, £15m, Wigan Athletic

Arsenal are one of a number of elite Premier League clubs to have monitored McCarthy’s progress at Wigan, and they would face the stiffest competition from Tottenham, Everton and Chelsea. From an Irish point of view, any transfer would finally revive the long lineage of internationals to have appeared for the North-London side.