Arsenal could be ready to announce two mega transfers in the coming days, with Morgan Schneiderlin confirming his exit from Southampton is imminent.
While confirmation of the signing of Petr Cech from Chelsea is expected in a few days' time, Arsenal could add Schneiderlin to that list, if the player's quotes are anything to go by.
Schneiderlin has been linked with a move to Arsenal for quite a few months, with various reports suggesting a deal was already in place with the player, and all that remained was agreeing on a transfer fee with Southampton.
However, following the resurgence of Francis Coquelin in the second half of the season, there were suggestions that Arsene Wenger had changed his mind over the transfer, especially with the Saints holding firm on their demand of around £24million for the midfielder, who has two years left on his current contract.
Schneiderlin has also been heavily linked with a switch to Manchester United, and it does look like it will be one of Arsenal or United, who sign him, with the France international recently saying he will only move to a Champions League club.
With Chelsea and Manchester City not thought to be interested, it has seemed like a straight fight between Manchester United and Arsenal, with the latter thought to be the favourites, owing to the reports earlier this year which suggested Schneiderlin has already agreed on a move to the Emirates.
Schneiderlin, speaking to France Bleu Alsace, confirmed he is in talks over a move, while adding his future will be sorted out in the "coming days."
"The negotiations are ongoing and should be completed in the coming days, hopefully before the resumption of training next week," the 26-year-old midfielder said.
Wenger is expected to sign a defensive-minded midfielder to help reduce the burden on Coquelin, who was Arsenal's best player in the second half of last season.
While Schneiderlin is not strictly a defensive midfielder, he can certainly play that role, while also providing a really good option for Wenger to play both the Frenchman in the base of midfield in big games.
Chances of Schneiderlin signing for Arsenal further increased when odds over the midfielder's move to the Emirates were slashed considerably. Betfair made Arsenal odds-on favourites to sign Schneiderlin from 5/1, after a raft of bets.
"Schneiderlin has been a wanted man for several transfer windows now," Betfair spokesman Michael Bowers was quoted by the Metro.
"It seems as though Wenger is trying to force a deal through early to fend off other suitors."
