Good -- no, great -- news. Transfers can and do happen outside the time normally allotted in the year's two windows. Today, Transfer Talk looks at a few moves that might happen even though the annual windows are firmly shut.
Gunners chase defensive cover
The Sunday papers are all over Arsenal and their desperate need to plug holes in their threadbare defence.
First up, The Sunday Express are reporting Arsene Wenger sees Swiss youngster Fabian Schar as the ideal solution to their defensive woes, but they will face stiff competition from both Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan for the 22-year-old's signature.
Schar is rapidly becoming one of the hotter properties in Europe after some strong performances for Switzerland at the World Cup, and despite Basel's 5-1 thumping by Real Madrid midweek, he is also beginning to make a name for himself in the Champions League.
The Daily Mail, however, thinks Arsenal will return to Manchester United and make another play for Chris Smalling.
Smalling is apparently on the outer at Old Trafford, and Arsenal have held a long standing interest in the 24-year-old.
United need to shell out for Strootman
Speaking of Manchester United, apparently Louis van Gaal's 150 million pound summer spending spree has come back to haunt the Mancunian club.
That sort of lavish spending now means no club in the world will accept anything but top dollar from the Glazer-run organisation.
The Mirror says Kevin Strootman, one of Van Gaal's more highly regarded targets, has had a 60 million pound price tag slapped on him by his current club, Roma.
The 24-year-old would add some much needed quality to United's questionable midfield, but Ed Woodward will need to step up his negotiation skills if the Red Devils are to get their man at a reasonable price.
Carroll returning home?
Andy Carroll might be perpetually injured, but that hasn't put off his former club, Newcastle, who are keen to bring the striker, whom they sold to Liverpool for 35 million pounds in 2011, back to Tyneside -- at least that's what The Mirror says.
Unlike the past season, West Ham have a number of strikers in their squad to choose from, and if Saturday's 3-1 win over Liverpool is anything to go by, the Hammers will do just fine without the 25-year-old target man.
As John Brewin outlined, Alan Pardew is under considerable pressure at Newcastle, perhaps this move for Carroll -- a former fan favourite -- would somewhat placate the fans?