Song happy at Arsenal despite Barcelona preparing £17m bid for midfield star

Barcelona are ready to pay £17million for Arsenal's Alex Song despite the player admitting he is happy in north London.

The Spanish club are desperate to strengthen the defensive side of the game and new boss Tito Vilanova has decided Song's versatility makes the Cameroon man the ideal candidate.
Barca lost Sergio Busquets' back-up Seydou Keita over the summer and lack options in central defence, positions Song would be more than capable of filling.

On Song: Barcelona are to ramp up their bid for Arsenal star Alex Song

 

Reports in Spain suggest Arsenal are playing hardball despite being open to an exceptional offer, and they have already scouted a host of other options, including Yann M'Vila.

Spanish press believe an offer of around £17m - for a player with two years left on his current deal - will be enough to sway the Gunners into letting Song follow Alex Hleb, Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas to switch between the two clubs in recent years.
Song is currently in the early stages of contract talks with his club and while he harbours no aspirations of forcing a move, he is interested in hearing what Barca have to say.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Monday, the 24-year-old said: 'I am not going to lie if I said there is no interest but I am at Arsenal and I am happy at Arsenal.

All good: Song insists he is happy at Arsenal despite the interest from Spain

'Barcelona are the best team in the world, and speculation will always continue until the window closes.'
Meanwhile, former Arsenal captain Fabregas has revealed he found his first season back with Barcelona a struggle.

He told Marca: 'Under [Pep] Guardiola I never really got to grips with the system. I had been playing another style of football and to take on board so much so quickly was difficult, because everyone else had already got it down.

Pain in Spain: Cesc Fabregas says he struggled to adapt at Barcelona last year

'Playing in central midfield was hard for me because I need more mobility and I am not quick off the mark in the first few metres.
'I am not asking for anything, but that is my way of playing. It is true that I am a bit anarchic, but that is my style. Some people commented that I lacked something last season, including Guardiola.
'It was my fault really because I tried to be what I am not; I am not Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, or Thiago [Alcantara]. I am me and I need mobility, to participate more.'