Barca close in on Song

Daily papers Sport and Mundo Deportivo claim that Barcelona's sports vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu and director of football Raul Sanllehi were in London yesterday to negotiate the deal, and it could be finalised within hours.

The reports claim Arsenal have already turned down an initial €15 million bid from the Catalans and are holding out for over €20 million, but a deal should be agreed for €18 - €19 million. The idea of a Barca player such as Ibrahim Afellay or Cristian Tello moving to the Emirates on loan in part-exchange has been discounted.

While Barcelona have officially remained silent on the transfer, Javier Clemente, who was Song's international manager with Cameroon from 2011 to 2012, told the Catalan media that the player would fit in well at the Camp Nou.