Quote of the day

"We will either move Demba on or we will secure him in the summer. Really and truly this window is the key, I think, because if Demba goes in this window, it will cause us a problem. I think he will stay, but there's a possibility he could go because of the clause that's still in force. In the summer - I won't let it run until the summer. I'll do something about it."

The Silver Fox clears up our current position on Demba Ba: either we'll sell him or keep him in January, or we'll sell him or keep him in the summer. Well, thanks for that.

Obviously the worst case scenario would see him leaving next month, even if there are mitigating circumstances (the arrival of Loic Remy, perhaps), but we may be powerless to stop the clause being activated and our disgruntled top scorer securing himself a move.

Arsene Wenger has issued a less than convincing statement that his club aren't keen to sign Ba. In truth, though, it would be more acceptable if he was to go to the Gunners than to 'Appy 'Arry's 'apless QPR, who continue to be credited with a strong interest and whose wealth might give his agents the bumper pay-day they clearly seem to crave.