A whole summer of this?

If you believed even 10 per cent of the Arsenal-related transfer speculation flying around at the moment, this summer would see more people signing on at the Emirates than at the Bootle branch of the Jobcentre Plus on benefits day.

While I refuse to get excited about anyone we’re linked with until Arsene Wenger or the board come out to say it’s done and dusted, I do – like many supporters – keep half an eye on the transfer rumours, if only to keep the spirits up.

The general consensus is we’re interested in Benzema (although he doesn’t want to move), that Wenger wants to add some steel (possibly in the form of Samba from Blackburn), and that the last thing we need is another small, flimsy, ‘play-anywhere-across-the-middle’ versatile midfielder who will only score a few goals a season, may or may not make the grade but will, in any case, need a couple of years on the bench before he steps up because he’s not yet the finished article and, when he does, there may be some problems with his passport because he was born in the Americas but has European grandparents… or something.

Imagine my disappointment, then, when I logged on the find the following awaiting me the other morning.

From (the ever-so-reliable ‘Football Talk’ website): Arsenal have made their first signing of the summer with the bosman transfer of Ricardo Alvarez from the Argentinean club Vélez Sársfield, according to reports.

The 23 year old was born in Argentina, but has an Italian passport, and the left footed attacking midfielder has been likened to Barcelona's star player and probably the best footballer in the world, Lionel Messi.

According to FoxSports, the player has signed a pre-contract agreement with Arsenal, allowing the player to join in June.

He has only scored 4 goals in 36 appearances, but it his versatility that has attracted Arsenal's eye. Apparently he can play in any position in the midfield, and although not an immediate starter would add depth to the Arsenal squad.

Now I know the chances of this being true are about the same as the chances of Gerard Houllier climbing Kilimanjaro right now, but still… give us something to cling to, Arsene.

I bet he’s just like Messi