Catalan giants Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal's Cameroonian midfielder Alex Song, as replacement for the departing Seydou Keita.

Song is a defensive midfielder by trade but enjoyed a solid season last year, in which he seemed to have added an attacking flair to his skill set. The midfielder contributed 12 goals last year and developed a good understanding with lead striker Robin van Persie.

Barcelona Interested in Alex Song
Reuters

The African has only two years left on his contract and that could give him an edge in negotiations with the Spanish club, if those do happen. The club's new coach, Tito Vilanova, has already completed the transfer of Valencia left back Jordi Alba, and is keen to make further signings as he strives to solve the defensive problems which undermined Barcelona's league and European campaigns last season.

The Gunners, meanwhile, will be worried about the contract situation with Song and will hope to ensure the player does not enter the last year of his deal without a new one in place - even if that is only to serve to maximise his transfer value.

In any case, the club are believed to be in the market for a new defensive midfielder to share the tackling duties with Song - and replace him should he not sign a contract. Manager Arsene Wenger was reportedly looking at Rennes' French international Yann M'Vila. However, nothing came of that interest and it is now believed Wenger is targeting Celtic's Victor Wanyama.

Meanwhile, England winger Theo Walcott, it is understood, has put minds of Arsenal fans at ease by agreeing to a new contract. The former Southampton youngster unsettled fans and his manager by claiming he would leave the club if Van Persie were allowed to go and, after the Dutchman announced his decision to leave, interest in Walcott stepped up considerably, with Liverpool reportedly leading the race.

"It was always going to be (a case of) hold back until the end of the Euros. We continue to talk and we'll just see where it goes," the 23 year old told the Daily Mail, "I'm an honest guy. I like to get on with my job. I've got to work on pre-season, I don't want any distractions. Like I say, my agent and the club will continue to talk and when there's something to know I'll get involved. The manager has got so much faith in the young players. He's developed them. Every single one of them that comes in seems to suit the way that Arsenal play football."