Chelsea and Manchester City have emerged as surprise clubs interested in the signature of Barcelona midfielder Alex Song due to his homegrown status.
READ MORE:
Read the latest Chelsea transfer gossip!
Read the latest Manchester City transfer news!
Chelsea to offload two big name stars in order to fund £50m Sterling move
The Daily Mail report that the Cameroonian is classed as a homegrown player under FA rules because he joined Arsenal from Bastia at 17-years-old.
Barcelona are looking to sell and will accept offers of around £6m.
The 27-year-old has spent this season on loan at West Ham United having failed miserably since leaving the Emirates for the Camp Nou in 2012, and is likely to leave the Spanish giants for good in the summer. The Hammers also aren’t expected to sign the midfielder on a permanent basis when his deal at Upton Park expires.
AC Milan and neighbours Inter are both rumoured to be interested in his signature, however Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini are eager to acquire his services as a result of their need for more homegrown talent.
If Song was to make the switch to Stamford Bridge, he would join up with former Arsenal team-mate Cesc Fabregas – in a move that would turn the stomachs of the Gunners faithful even further.
Nonetheless, despite being classed as homegrown at present, if new regulations come into play – in which players must have been affiliated to the FA or FAW for three years prior to their 18th birthday, changed from their 21st – Song’s status as homegrown will therefore be removed.