Song Set To Join Barca

Alex Song

Arsenal midfielder Alex Song is closing in on a move to Spanish giants Barcelona and the deal could be completed this weekend.

The 24-year-old will not feature in Saturday's opening Premier League match against Sunderland.

However manager Arsene Wenger has lined up Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19086404 on a season-long loan as a replacement.

When asked about the possibility of more signings, and the departure of Song, Wenger said: “Both can happen.”

The two clubs will hold further negotiations at the weekend.

Song, who has two years left to run on his contract, is one of Wenger's longest-serving players, having joined Arsenal as a 17-year-old from French side Bastia in 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4692645.stm

He initially joined on a one-year loan deal, with a £2.75m fee agreed to make the move permanent.

Song has gone on to make more than 200 appearances for Arsenal, including 34 in the Premier League last season.