Arsenal ready to offer African duo a London return this summer
Published:With their pursuit of a top-four spot set to go down to the wire, 4/11 Arsenal are already looking at potential summer recruits to aid in securing a smoother passage into the Champions League next term.
And at the forefront of Arsene Wenger’s wishlist are believed to be two players familiar to Premier League fans, one of which who only left the Gunners last summer.
Indeed, Alex Song completed a £15m switch to Barcelona back in August, but has grown frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities at the Nou Camp, thus far costing a princely £1m per appearance in Spain.
The 25-year-old has also been unsettled by the Catalan lifestyle, and his cousin, former Cameroon international Rigobert Song, has discussed his feelings with Spanish press.
“At Arsenal he was a leader on and off the field – he doesn’t feel like this in Spain and it makes him feel bad,” he said.
With bite still lacking in the Gunners midfield, and Jack Wilshere’s long-term fitness not fully assured, Wenger would jump at the chance to bring Song back to the Emirates, and could get his man for around £10m.
Though Manchester City and Inter Milan are also interested in the ball-winning midfielder, a return to north London is Song’s dream scenario.
Meanwhile, Wenger is keen on another international African star, as he looks to bring former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou back to the Premier League.
The Gunners were hopeful of landing the Ivorian on a free transfer last summer, but their failure to clear out enough reserve players meant salary issues scuppered the deal.
Kalou instead joined Lille, but the 27-year-old has now opened the door for a potential return to England, telling The Sun: “I’d love to go back to England. I spent six seasons there and I am crazy about the Premier League.
“Players’ careers change so quickly — you never know what will happen tomorrow.”
Such comments will be music to the ears of Wenger, who is ready to sanction a £7m move for the ex-Chelsea hitman in the close season.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
