Wenger finally makes a signing... with Flamini set to return to Arsenal on a free transfer!



Arsene Wenger’s intensive 12-day recruitment drive appears set to start with a deal for Mathieu Flamini, five years after he quit Arsenal for AC Milan.

The Italian club released the 29-year-old midfielder at the end of the season and he has been training with Wenger’s squad for the last two weeks.

The Arsenal manager has been impressed enough with his condition to offer him a contract and Flamini has agreed to a return despite interest from other clubs.

Return: Arsenal are set to offer a contract to Mathieu Flamini after he was released by AC Milan this summer

Reunited: Having made over 100 appearances for the Gunners, Flamini left Arsenal for AC Milan in 2008

He will be the second signing of the summer for Wenger — both free transfers — and the fourth old boy the manager has re-signed, having brought Sol Campbell, Jens Lehmann and Thierry Henry back to the Emirates.

Wenger hopes the deal will be followed by a series of high-profile arrivals at the club.

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema is Wenger’s top transfer target after giving up hope of landing Luis Suarez or Wayne Rooney.

And the Frenchman is also plotting a big-money move for Benzema’s team-mate Angel Di Maria, and will return for improved offers for Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye and Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.

One player who could be leaving is Lukas Podolski, who is wanted by Schalke.

Arsenal old-boy: Thierry Henry announced his return to the club with an FA Cup goal against Leeds in 2012

Jens Lehmann and Sol Campbell also rejoined Arsene Wenger's side after spells away from North London



Real will demand a combined total of around £60million for Benzema and Di Maria. Newcastle want at least £20m for Cabaye, while Guaita is said to have a £25.6m release clause.

Arsenal have been criticised in recent weeks for what has been perceived to be a lack of direction in the transfer market.

But Sportsmail can reveal that every member of the club’s global scouting team were told to recommend two players for every position at the start of the summer.

Once the names were collated, chief scout Steve Rowley began the process of streamlining the recommendations to a shortlist of five for every position.



Released: Flamini suffered a serious injury during his time at the San Siro but did win the Serie A title with Milan

If the Flamini deal can be finalised by midday today he will be available for tomorrow’s game at Fulham.

Any later and he could return for the derby against Tottenham.

The French midfielder left the Emirates on a free transfer in 2008 after playing 40 times in a campaign when Arsenal finished third.

He went on to win the Italian title with Milan but has suffered fitness issues, including a serious knee injury which ruled him out for the entire 2011-12 season.

There was a boost for Arsenal from Laurent Koscielny, who cut his head during Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over Fenerbahce in Turkey.

Derby comeback: Laurent Koscielny suffered a head injury on Wednesday but should be back to play Spurs

Koscielny, 27, was able to travel back with the team after the game and has been told there is no damage other than a deep wound which has been stitched.

He is suspended for tomorrow’s game after his red card against Aston Villa last week and may not be risked in the return against Fenerbahce, since the tie is almost won.