Arsenal Close to Signing Gervinho; Liverpool's Bid for Adam Accepted

So far, this summer might have been depressing for Arsenal fans, with key players like Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and Gael Clichy linked with moves away from the club.

Clichy became the first player to depart, with Nasri expected to join him at City sooner rather than later. However, there might be a reason for Arsenal fans to rejoice in such tough times.

It comes in the form of news that Arsenal are close to completing the signing of Gervinho for £11.2 million. It still may not be the high-profile signing that fans have been yearning for, but something is at least better than nothing.

Arsene Wenger does not think twice about scouting the Ligue 1 for deals, with Marouane Chamakh being the most recent to cross the English Channel.

Despite his initial success, Chamakh faded away more rapidly than Wenger could imagine. Many regarded Chamakh as the target man that Arsenal most needed and tipped him for success. However, they may not make the same mistake with Gervinho.

His physical stature plainly suggests that playing on the ground will suit him more than hoofing up. Given the impending departure of Bendtner, it would seriously leave Arsenal without a target man up front, something that every club needs in the Premier League.

Gervinho's arrival may patch up some questions in the striker's department, but the departures of Nasri and Fabregas will raise new and important ones: how to replace such dynamic and creative midfielders?

Alex Song's troubles with the bureaucracy could only worsen the situation.

Liverpool are clearly in the mood to buy, and they are more specifically keen on British talent. The arrival of the new owners along with the appointment of former Tottenham sporting director Damien Comolli has changed the transfer policy of the club massively.

Jordan Henderson was the most recent British talent to arrive at Anfield, and Charlie Adam could soon join the former Sunderland star. Liverpool have been chasing the Blackpool star for more than six months now, and they seem to have finally secured their man.

A fee of £8 million for the player, who wants to return to the Premier League, seems to be a reasonable amount of money. It also represents a significant profit for Blackpool, who unfortunately cannot resist the lure of the Premier League.

This transfer once again proves that dropping down to the Championship not only affects the club's finances, but also its top stars as well.

For Liverpool and Kenny Dalglish, it is a case of all the riches in the world now, as they have a plethora of midfielders competing for very few positions. The club now has a major task on its hand to relieve itself of players like Joe Cole, Alberto Aquilani and Christian Poulsen.

Liverpool will most certainly not face any complications with the homegrown players rule given the number of British players in their sights. The latest addition to that list is Stewart Downing. Liverpool have just had a £15 million bid for the winger rejected by Aston Villa.