Arsenal threaten to hijack Liverpool's Sahin plan... if Song moves to Barca

Arsenal have made a last minute attempt to hijack Liverpool's move for Nuri Sahin as they contemplate selling Alex Song.

The Real Madrid midfielder was all set to join the Anfield club on a season-long loan but the Gunners have asked him to wait until Song's future is resolved, a request the 23-year-old has agreed to.
It is understood Sahin, who would rather join a Champions League club, prefers a move to Arsenal.

Wanted man: Nuri Sahin (second left) would prefer an Arsenal switch

Unlike Van Persie, the Gunners are under no pressure to sell Song given his contract does not expire until 2015, nevertheless Arsenal will let the Cameroon international leave if Barca stump up between £15m-£20m.
And Sahin is the man Wenger wants to replace Song in his midfield should the 24-year-old make an unexpected exit.

Prepared: Arsenal are readying themselves in case they lose Alex Song

Wenger is expected to name Thomas Vermaelen as the club's new skipper on Friday.
The Arsenal manager will inform his new captain in a face-to-face meeting after Van Persie's exit left the role vacant.
Mikel Arteta is also in the running, but Vermaelen is set to receive the nod as new captain.