Arsenal

Entering the home straight or lagging behind? Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to return to training today and Arsène Wenger’s spending plans depend on whether the forward stays or goes. Adebayor thinks he is worth £80,000 a week.

Satisfied customers or holding out for a bargain? Wenger is in a class of his own when it comes to hunting for bargains. Expect to see two more new faces – Andrei Arshavin, Roque Santa Cruz, Mouhamadou Dabo, possibly – before the start of the season.

In S Nasri (Marseilles, £12.8m), A Ramsey (Cardiff, £5m), F Coquelin (Stade Lavallois, free).

Out A Hleb (Barcelona, initial £11.8m), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos, £1m), M Flamini (AC Milan, free), J Lehmann (Stuttgart, free), K Gilbert (Leicester, season loan).

Preseason matches Tomorrow Szombathelyi Haliadas (a). July 28 Burgenland XI (Ritzing, Austria). July 30 Stuttgart (a). Aug 2 Juventus (h). Aug 3 Real Madrid (h). Aug 6 Huddersfield (a). Aug 8 Ajax (a). Aug 9 Seville (Amsterdam). Aug 12 Boreham Wood (a).

Aston Villa

Entering the home straight or lagging behind? In the middle of the field, with Steve Sidwell in, Brad Guzan awaiting a work permit and Gareth Barry only halfway through the exit door. The box-office signing appears to be a long way off.

Satisfied customers or holding out for a bargain? The goalkeeping situation is in flux as Martin O’Neill, the manager, attempts to clinch a £2.5million deal for Brad Friedel, but keeps tabs on Robert Green and Paul Robinson. O’Neill has called time on his bid for David Bentley, so may make a renewed move to bring back James Milner. Still has an urgent need for a right back.

In B Guzan (Chivas USA, initial £1m, subject to work permit), S Sidwell (Chelsea, initial £4.5m), C Davies (West Brom, loan made permanent, initial £8m).

Out L Moore (West Brom, £3m), D Bellon (Vaduz, free), P Berger (Sparta Prague, free), E Lund (Gothenburg, free), O Mellberg (Juventus, free), T Sorensen (released), S Carson (back to Liverpool after loan).

Preseason matches Tomorrow Walsall (a). Saturday Odense (h, Intertoto Cup third round, second leg). Aug 2 Reading (a).