Betting.Betfair

Arsenal appear to be closing in on the signing of Valencia winger Juan Mata, with the World Cup winner's representatives making their way to north London to hold talks with the club, according to the Daily Mirror and Daily Mail.

The latter source reports that the Gunners have agreed a fee in the region of £15 million with the Spanish side, though both newspapers are far too eager to suggest that the 23-year-old's arrival almost certainly spells the end of captain Cesc Fabregas' eight-year stay in England.

While some logic exists in the view that as Samir Nasri often started in the front three when the skipper was available last season, Mata couldtake that place and allow the Frenchman to drop back, it is Andrey Arshavin that should perhaps be most concerned by the planned addition.

As the summer progresses at a rapid rate, it looks far from nailed on that either star midfielder will leave, and increasingly probable that at least one will stay. Nasri is the more likely of the pair to stick around, with odds of 2.5 on him going, compared to 1.4 on Fabregas.

But while Arsene Wenger's chances of landing Mata seem strong, the state of his search for a new defender is less clear following conflicting claims surrounding the potential purchase of Christopher Samba.

The Congolese centre back was quoted in The Sun speaking of his desperation to seal a move to the Emirates, yet denied making any such comments on Twitter.

Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill have also been named over the course of the summer as possible enhancements to the Arsenal backline but at present their only defensive reinforcement has been young Charlton full back Carl Jenkinson.

With no major exits to date, the capture of Gervinho and a record of having finished in the top four in each of Wenger's 15 seasons in charge, 1.79 appears an incredible price on them doing so again.

For more football betting articles, go to http://betting.betfair.com/football/