DownSwinging.com

With the final game of the season yet to be played, Chelsea have already made their first upgrade of the offseason by signing 25 year-old Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow. Dubbed the ‘Russian Ronaldinho’, which is starting to sound like an insult, Zhirkov’s rights have been sold to Chelsea for approximately £18 million ($30 million). The prospect of Zhirkov, whose name sounds like you think it does, plying his trade in the Premier League has both Chelsea fans (because of his skillful play) and the tabloids (because of the resulting plethora of creative headlines) foaming at the mouth. The completion of this transfer comes as no surprise as, soon to be, ex-Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink has publicly implored Russian owner Roman Abramovich to sign the Moscow winger.

We move from west to north London, where Arsenal, big four also-rans, are reportedly free to negotiate with England international Gareth Barry; that is, if they are willing to meet Aston Villa’s £12 million valuation of the central midfielder. The Birmingham club are reportedly eager to sell Barry in order to reconstruct their midfield for the 2009-10 season.  However it is yet to be seen whether or not Arsenal are ready to splash the cash on the 28 year-old.