Just what we DON'T need: another near-30s misfit who a top six club want to offload to someone below them to maintain the status quo in one easy manoeuvre.
Not only that, we'll give them upwards of £20m towards their purchase of a quality player who will enhance their long-term prospects and maintain the divide between them and us.
Why do we continually fall for this con-trick?
Worse, we don't need him. We already have Bolasie there, with Lennon behind him and also Lookman and Vlasic eager for a place. The latter two are the future, not someone who has flattered to deceive throughout his career at Arsenal, punctuated by regular lengthy spells on the treatment table.
The board seem determined to shape the team in their own image: six players all vying for the same role and - none where they are most needed.
Sadly, my opinion will have no bearing whatsoever on what looks like a done deal. I can only hope that Southampton want him more and he sees that as a better option (please).
But as long as we set our sights so relatively low, we will never achieve the heights we aspire to.
How can a team comprising inferior talents and players in the twilight of their careers hope to form a unit capable of challenging those above us?
It's fanciful and completely unfeasible.
We have become a club that is more concerned with being nice and giving ridiculous long-term contracts to numerous players who are either simply not good enough, injury-prone or fourth choice in an overloaded position - instead of buying that player 'we can't get' and making a statement. Let's try doing that for a change, then, others will come.
Until that time, if ever it arrives, this is as good as it gets. And it is not good enough.
PS: is it worth letting Allardyce, Walsh, Kenwright and Moshiri know that we need a left back, as I don't think they have quite got it yet?