West Ham sign former Arsenal star Alex Song on loan deal

Alex Song has sealed a move from Barcelona to West Ham, with the former Arsenal star set to make a return to England on a loan spell despite initial interest from Chelsea.

David Sullivan confirmed the deal on Twitter, telling fans that it will last for a season with the option to go for another if he fits in well at the Boleyn, exciting fans of the London club with news of a possible two or three more additions in the next 24 hours afterwards.

Song was touted as a possible addition for Chelsea as he was left out of favour at Barcelona, with the 27 year old keen to get more game time and looking to join his former Arsenal teammate Cesc Fabregas at the side.

After spending the season on loan with West Ham in 2014-2015 though, Sullivan was keen to keep the attacker on side and it seems Chelsea's interest in his signature dwindled as deadline day rolled around.

Manchester United were also believed to be in the mix for Song's signature last year, making the move a big coup for West Ham, with the side hoping to better their position of 12th last season in the table.

Song joined Barcelona in 2012 with Arsenal making a tidy €18m profit on the move. Arsene Wenger was sad to see the Cameroon international go and Song himself said he had struggled with leaving the Emirates for his dream move to the Catalan giants.

A return to the Premier League has been on the cards since then, with Song failing to make a big impression on any of Barca's managers in the last three years, most recently under Gerardo Martino.