Barcelona Star Would Welome Arsenal Midfielder

Barcelona anchorman Sergio Busquets has stated he would welcome a move for Arsenal midfielder Alex Song and the opportunity to play alongside him.

Song, a Cameroonian international, is being linked with a switch to the Spanish side this summer and Busquets has revealed he would be happy to compete with the 24 year old for a place in the Catalan's first team. It is believed Barcelona are in the market for another defensively minded midfielder after Ivorian international Seydou Keita left the club for Chinese outfit Dalian Aerbin.

"Song is a very good player - young, a hard worker, with lots of physical power. Barca lose a lot without Keita, both on and off the pitch. He was a much-loved player who gave us a lot of physical power. Another player in my position would be welcome, but either way I will keep working hard to win a place in the starting team," ESPN quoted the Spaniard as saying.

The former Spanish and European champions are understood to be keen on strengthening their defensive options, after having struggled with injuries to key personnel at the wrong times. The absence of the inspirational Carlos Puyol in central defence meant Argentinean midfielder Javier Mascherano, along with Busquets, had to operate as defenders more often than they would have liked to. Song can operate in both positions and could present an interesting option for coach Tito Vilanova.

The Cameroon star is contracted to the Gunners till 2015 and is a player manager Arsene Wenger will understandably be loathe to lose, particularly since he has developed an eye for through-balls in recent seasons; he made 11 assists in the league last year and was one of the club's star performers, striking up a particularly profitable relationship with captain Robin van Persie.

The Gunners have had a busy transfer window this summer, as they look to improve on last season's third place finish. Wenger has already signed two strikers - German international Lukas Podolski and French star Olivier Giroud. Meanwhile, Real Madrid's Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin has been linked to the club and Spain playmaker Santi Cazorla is also due to join, from cash-trouble La Liga outfit Malaga

The Gunners have already signed Germany forward Lukas Podolski and France striker Olivier Giroud and looks set to land Spain playmaker Santi Cazorla soon, while Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin has also been linked to the club.

There have been exits as well, with Mexican forward Carlos Vela and Spanish goal keeper Manuel Almunia shown the door earlier in the summer and Brazilian midfielder Denilson and Costa Rican striker Joel Campbell leaving on season-long loans.