Arsenal have signed four players and are close to wrapping up deals for Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres, but their spending spree may not be done there.

Whether it be the patience of Sporting chiefs that snaps or another European giant capitalising on the confusion, Arsenal now appear at risk of repeating the same grave mistake they made 12 years ago. That summer, the pursuit of Liverpool forward Luis Suarez began amid a fervour of excitement among fans, and yet ended in ridicule.