Barcelona eyeing shock swoop for Arsenal midfielder

Barcelona are plotting a shock £11.7million swoop for Arsenal midfielder Alex Song, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

 Having sanctioned the departure of Seydou Keita earlier this summer, the Catalan giants are desperate to sign a new defensive midfielder before the start of next season.

 Javi Martinez had been the club's top target but they are thought to be close to giving up their pursuit of the Spain international due to Athletic Bilbao’s refusal to lower their asking price.

 And new Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova has turned his attention to cheaper alternatives, with Song now on his radar.

 Senior Barcelona officials believe Song, who racked up 11 Premier League assists last season, will fit in perfectly at the Camp Nou given his creative streak and ability to operate in defence and midfield.

 However, having seen Cesc Fabregas lured from north London to Catalonia last summer, Arsene Wenger will be desperate to keep Song, and the Frenchman will be looking to extend the 24-year-old’s contract at the Emirates Stadium beyond the summer of 2014.

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