Gunners Confirm Alex Song Exit, Wenger Hints at New Signing

After the departure of striker Robin van Persie to Manchester United, Arsenal have now confirmed they have agreed terms with Catalan giants Barcelona for the sale of Cameroonian defensive midfielder Alex Song.

"Arsenal Football Club can confirm that terms have been agreed for the transfer of Alex Song to Barcelona. Song will now travel to the Catalan club to agree personal terms and undergo a medical ahead of the proposed move," read a statement on the club's official website.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder transferred to the Gunners for just £1m, from French side Bastia, after spending the 2005 season on loan with Arsenal. Song had established himself as one of the club's key players and his performances last season were some of his best for the club. Song has made 138 appearances for the Gunners, scoring seven times.

The transfer will make Song the second Arsenal midfielder to sign for Barcelona in as many years, after Cesc Fabregas' high-profile switch last season. The player has reportedly been on the La Liga club's radar for some time now.

Barcelona have also released a statement confirming the transfer: "FC Barcelona has agreed a deal with Arsenal FC for the transfer of Alex Song to the Camp Nou. The fee is €19m (£15m). The Cameroon international midfielder will sign for the next five seasons with a release clause of €80m. On Monday he'll have a medical and then join the rest of the squad for the official team presentation at the Gamper."

Replacements Promised?

Wenger, who watched his team stutter to a goalless draw against Sunderland in the opening game of their league campaign, earlier hinted he would sign another midfielder to replace Song, despite claiming to be satisfied with his midfield options. At the moment, the two names believed to be on the top of his wish list are Anderlecht's Argentinean Lucas Biglia and Real Madrid's Turkish international Nuri Sahin.

"We have [Jack] Wilshere coming back now. We have [Abou] Diaby back, we have [Tomas] Rosicky not far away and we might bring someone in," the Daily Mail quoted him as stating.

"Maybe we needed one more creative player (referring to the draw against Sunderland). It's one game and it's too early to draw definitive conclusions because we faced a specific problem from a team who played very deep," he concluded.