Alex Song's homegrown status attracts interest from Chelsea and Manchester City

Chelsea and Manchester City are considering a move in signing Alex Song this summer, according to the Daily Mail.

The 27-year-old is on a season-long loan from Barcelona at West Ham United and his contract with the La Liga giants will expire in June. He is a free agent and the Hammers have already expressed their desire to sign him on a permanent transfer.

Song joined Arsenal in 2006 at the age of 17 and is considered a homegrown player. The Premier League champions and City are looking to add homegrown talent to their squad in the summer.

The Cameroon international has emerged as a surprise target for both Chelsea and City as they are likely to have a summer battle in signing the midfielder. West Ham are hoping to convince him to continue at Upton Park as they look to secure his services.

However, Song is not willing to continue and his performance for them has attracted interest from clubs in England and Europe. Apart from Chelsea and City, Italian outfits AC Milan and Inter Milan are also in the chase for his signature.

Inter have publicly expressed their desire to sign City star Yaya Toure and the summer exit of Toure could see him take the place of his compatriot, if he decides to make a switch to the Etihad.

Chelsea have an advantage over City in landing the Barcelona midfielder. The Evening Standard report claims that Song is keen to stay in London and a move to Stamford Bridge will help him continue at the capital.

Meanwhile, City have secured a runners-up spot in this season's Premier League after Arsenal settled for a goalless draw against Sunderland at the Emirates. The Citizens boss Manuel Pellegrini has admitted that his side will be back challenging Chelsea for the title next season.

"It's not easy to be champions every year. If you cannot win it I think that, at least, it's important to finish the way we are playing now," Pellegrini told City's official website.

"Second place is not the place we wanted but we all know that if you don't play with 100 per cent intensity any team can beat you in the Premier League."

"We need to improve and be again a strong team. We'll see what we are going to do next season but I am sure we will come back stronger and we will be fighting for the title," he added.