Arsenal Transfer Rumour: Wenger Plans Back-up for Song

Arsenal will consider an approach for Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin only if Alex Song leaves the club, the Guardian reports. The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for the Turkish international and the season-long loan was expected to be swiftly concluded after Madrid boss Jose Mourinho admitted he would not stand in the player's way of he wanted to leave in search of first team football.

However, it is now understood that a move for the former Borussia Dortmund captain will depend on Cameroonian midfielder Alex Song's future at the club. Reports claim manager Arsene Wenger is frustrated with the 24 year old defensive midfielder's desire to explore transfer options this summer, particularly in the light of a switch to Barcelona. Several of the Catalan club's players (Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets) have openly welcomed Song to the Camp Nou, in a series of events reminiscent of the protracted transfer that brought former Gunner Cesc Fabregas to Spain.

Wenger, who was finally able to announce the capture of Spanish playmaker Santi Cazorla from Malaga earlier this week, stated he would not sign another central midfielder unless one of his players suffered an injury or transferred out.

"We wait for [Abou] Diaby and [Jack] Wilshere. When he is fit, Diaby is the first name on the French team sheet. When you look we have Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin, Diaby, Wilshere and Mikel Arteta. We are not short if Diaby and Wilshere are coming back. If we have setbacks in pre-season, it could be different," the Daily Mail quoted Wenger as saying.

Diaby has regained his fitness and is back in the squad, as are a few others. However, Wilshere remains sidelined till October and strangely, a move for Sahin in this situation seems to have been declared a contigency plan based on Song's actions.

Sahin Rejects Besiktas Loan Move

Meanwhile, Sahin has turned down a loan move to Besiktas, according to Goal.com. The Turkish side were interested in the services of one of their country's biggest stars but the 23 year old has rejected the offer. The reports state Sahin refused to even negotiate with the Istanbul outfit, which suggests he remains keen on attending to interest from the Premier League - with Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool linked to him.