Arsenal and United Plot January Bid for Disgruntled African Midfielder - Report

Barcelona midfielder Alex Song's dwindling role at the Nou Camp could spark offers from both former club Arsenal and Manchester United in the January transfer window, according to Spanish publication Sport.

The Cameroon international left the Gunners for Barca last summer after signing a five-year contract following the completion a deal worth £15m.

Song made 34 appearances in all competitions for the Catalans last season as Barcelona wrestled the La Liga title away from Real Madrid and reached the semi-final of both the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.

The 26 year old was left frustrated in his attempts to dishevel Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andres Iniesta from Barcelona's midfield and often had to make do with a place in a make-shift defence amid Carlos Puyol's lengthy injury absence.

And having made just five appearances this season, the disappointment of Song's continued limited role for Barca - this time under new manager Gerardo Martino - is expected to come to a head in the January transfer window when he issues a come and get me plea to the continent's biggest clubs.

Since Song left Arsenal last summer the midfielder has regularly been linked with a return to north London. However, the re-signing of Mathieu Flamini and addition of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid has bolstered Arsene Wenger's midfield options.

Wenger has consistently been forced to deny Arsenal have a buy-back clause inserted in Song's contract from when he originally left the Emirates Stadium but Song's peripheral role with the La Liga champions continues to see him linked with a return to the capital.

Should Arsenal be interested in signing Song in January, with the club claiming to have further funds for Wenger to spend after they smashed their transfer record to sign Ozil, then reports claim Premier League champions United will also launch a bid for the African holding player.

Manager David Moyes failed to secure any of United's primary transfer targets in the summer before eventually signing Marouane Fellaini from Everton on deadline day, and has said his side are short of several world class players.

United's midfield has often been accused of being lightweight both creatively and defensively, and Song would assist in offsetting the problem while also allowing Michael Carrick a more offensive role.

Darren Fletcher has returned to training but his history with illness makes his first-team return in the immediate future unlikely.