Arsenal fans have been left disappointed after a group of Boca Juniors fans tricked the international media into thinking that the Gunners were about to sign Rodrigo Palacio.

A blog run by fans of the Argentinian side made up the rumour that Palacio was set to join the Premier League side this week.

The Daily Telegraph covered the ’story’ with: ‘Palacio, 25, will fly into London tomorrow after Boca accepted the Gunners’ offer’. The Independent, BBC, Daily Mail, The Sun and Sky Sports all reported on the supposed move, leaving the media giants red faced.

This morning, the story had even spread to newspapers in Spain, Argentina and Japan.