Barcelona News: Alex Song Heading for Nou Camp Exit
Alex Song's future at Barcelona looks increasingly bleak after reports of the Cameroon international being made available for a loan move – with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur among the interested parties - were followed by the 26 year old being left out of the friendly win over Leon.
New manager Luis Enrique gave his entire squad, including new signing Luis Suarez – who hasn't played a professional match since being banned for four months by Fifa for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup – a run out in their final pre-season friendly on Monday.
But Song was the only Barca player not to feature as he remained on the bench for the duration of the 6-0 win, a move which pushed him further towards the exit door at the Nou Camp, just two years after moving to the Catalan giants from Arsenal.
Song agreed a five-year deal with Barcelona in 2012, and with a significant portion of that deal remaining the club are looking to offload the midfielder on a season-long loan deal.
Former club Arsenal and north London rivals Tottenham are among the clubs being linked with a move for Song, who made just 12 league starts for Barcelona last season.
Song built a reputation as a combative holding midfielder during his days in the Premier League and just two years on represents an attractive option to both Arsenal and Tottenham.
Arsene Wenger has been urged to sign an out-and-out defensive midfielder this summer after making four high-profile additions during the summer, while Tottenham are also without a player for the role.
Former manager George Graham told talkSPORT: "Arsenal need a more commanding defensive midfield player and I think they need an out-and-out goalscorer up front.
"Whether it is international class, that is going to be very difficult to get but there are a few players out there who are out-and-out finishers and that's probably what they need.
"I would definitely be looking at another centre-forward and definitely a midfield player – a Vieira type but whether a player of that quality is available I'm not sure."
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