I just want to say a little on what seems to be a growing tendency for some clubs to publicly court players from other clubs with the explicit intention of unsettling the player and thus facilitating a transfer. The most talked-about recent example of this media-assisted tapping-up has of course been the Ronaldo to Madrid saga.

Despite United’s enviable global profile and evident reluctance to sell, it appears Real’s charm offensive may succeed. £60m may go some way to sweetening the deal, but for the European Champions there is more at stake than just money. The loss of their prized asset to one of the Continental heavyweights – even for such an astronomical fee – is likely to cause consternation. Why should they yield to anyone?

This is an understandable sentiment, but it should come as some consolation to United fans that Ronaldo’s desire to leave springs from an irresistible boyhood fantasy to one day play for Real Madrid. The unscrupulous way in which Real are exploiting this dream is regrettable, but I fear there is little can be done to stop them.

The team that have been affected most by the covetous overtures of some of Europe’s elite clubs are Arsenal. Hleb was the first to be targeted, followed by Fabregas, Adebayor, Van Persie and now, it appears, Gael Clichy. As an Arsenal fan, it is immensely frustrating to hear the constant speculation linking your best players with the exit door, but I suppose Arsenal are paying the price for not establishing their credentials as one of Europe’s elite.

After a season in which the team flirted with greatness only to fall at the last, the club’s top players are now hot property. Milan, Barcelona and Inter are waiting to gorge themselves on the fruits of Wenger’s fresh harvest. Any hint of discontent will register like a drop of blood in shark infested waters. If Arsenal were to signal their intentions more overtly – perhaps by imitating the spending of their rivals – they might finally be able to rid themselves of the unwelcome ‘selling-club’ tag. If they choose not to, they will face an incessant threat from clubs more willing to show their ambition.