Milan claim Flamini signing

Mathieu Flamini is just hours away from leaving Arsenal, according to Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani.

The Arsenal midfielder was absent from The Gunners' matchday squad against Everton - increasing concerns that the Emirates faithful had seen the last of their combative Frenchman.

Wenger said on Sunday that he is still hopeful his compatriot will renew his contract, which expires in the close season, but Galliani’s words suggest a rather different scenario.

Galliani is the man who conducts Milan’s transfer dealings, and he triumphantly announced Flamini’s imminent signing after the Rossoneri won the Milan derby 2-1.

“Flamini is ours,” roared Galliani to Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He arrives here this evening and he will sign for four years.”

The news will come as a major blow to Wenger, who will be left with something of a dearth of talent in the centre of the field following Lassana Diarra’s January departure.

Gilberto Silva is also expected to leave, but most crucial of all is that Arsenal will be losing one of their players of the season - for free.