Few observers could understand Arsène Wenger's perseverance with Philippe Senderos, but it seems that even the Arsenal manager's patience has run out, with the defender expected to complete a move to AC Milan after a medical today. The Serie A club's interest in Senderos will surprise many, but eyebrows will be raised farther at the £8million transfer fee, if the deal is made permanent at the end of a season-long loan.

Arsenal will receive £1.5million for the loan fee, but Wenger will also have been swayed to let Senderos go by the arrival of Mikaël Silvestre, who can play in the centre of defence, even if nagging doubts remain over the ability of Kolo Touré and William Gallas, his first-choice pairing, to dominate in the air.

Arsenal are not flush with money, but they will have spent only about £4million this summer, after the income from Senderos, and Wenger may have one further signing in store before the transfer window closes on Monday. The Frenchman remains interested in Michael Johnson, the Manchester City midfield player, who has turned down the offer of a new five-year contract, but there is also interest in him from Everton, among others.

Senderos, who has two years left on his contract, has struggled to fulfil his potential since playing for the Switzerland Under-15 team at the age of 13, and three years later making his senior debut for Servette. He captained Switzerland to victory in the European Under-17 Championship in Denmark in 2002 and Europe's top clubs took notice.

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He turned down Real Madrid to move to Arsenal for an initial £500,000 in July 2003, but he has never been able to establish himself as a first-choice centre back. Still only 23, he has been prone to mistakes in the domestic league but has appeared more comfortable in European competition or when he has enjoyed a run in the team.

Decent bets

Blackburn Rovers have offered £1million for Ali Al Habsi, the Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper, who would be second choice to Paul Robinson. The Oman player, who has a year left on his contract, has attracted interest from Newcastle United and Everton among other clubs. The 26-year-old has made 16 appearances for Bolton since he joined from Lyn Oslo three years ago.

Tottenham Hotspur have considered Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, of Ajax, as a replacement for Dimitar Berbatov, but they are also interested in Diego Milito, the Real Zaragoza forward.

Dead certs

Danny Hoesen has joined Fulham from Fortuna Sittard. The forward was on trial for two weeks at Craven Cottage, having made his first-team debut for the Dutch team against Go Ahead Eagles this month.

Long shots

Tottenham's link with Emile Heskey, the Wigan Athletic forward, appears far-fetched.

Gervinho, the Le Mans forward, has claimed that he could be on the verge of joining Arsenal. “Arsenal have opened the door to me,” the 21-year-old said after playing for Ivory Coast in the Olympic Games in Beijing this month. “Playing for Arsenal would be the biggest achievement in my life.”

Cologne have turned down an offer of about £2.7million from Ipswich Town for Milivoje Novakovic. The Slovenia forward, 29, was top scorer with 20 goals in the second flight in Germany last season.

“Ipswich have made us a written offer that was not bad, but we will not sell Novakovic,” Michael Meier, the Cologne sporting director, said.