Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will resist Alex Song's attempts at manufacturing a move back to the Emirates, and will instead turn his entire attentions on Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama.
Rumors have been rife over a possible return for Song, who only left for Barcelona last summer. However, the former Arsenal midfielder has found it difficult to break into the first team at the Camp Nou - something that everyone, except Song apparently, expected - and now wants to come back to his old club.
Wenger, however, is not a great fan of Song, after reportedly growing tired of his attitude on the training field, which eventually led to his sale.
Arsenal do desperately need a defensive midfielder though, although song was far from one, and Wanyama has gone to the top of the list with Wenger set to make a bid of around £10 million ($15 million).
Wanyama has been in good form for Celtic this season, but has refused a contract extension offer from the Scottish club as he looks to further his career by making a move to the English Premier League.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon also recently acknowledged the fact that he would find it difficult to hold onto some of his star players in the summer.
The 21-year-old, who can also play in central defense, is exactly the kind of screening presence that is necessary for an Arsenal defense which has been far from convincing this season, and one which has made too many costly mistakes.
Arsenal have plenty of money in reserve and the transfer fee, even if it gets nearer to the £15 million ($22.5 million) mark, should not be a problem.
Meanwhile, Wenger has asked for help from Thierry Henry in order to seal a move for Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.
The Barca custodian has refused to sign a new contract at the Camp Nou, and with his current deal set to expire in 2014, he is expected to leave at the end of the season.
Wenger is looking for an experienced goalkeeper after losing faith in Wojciech Szczesny, who has made too many errors this season.
Henry played with Valdes during his time with Barcelona, and could play a role in tempting the Spanish international to sign for the Gunners in the summer.
Valdes will also not cost Arsenal too much money with a bid of around £8-10 million ($12-15 million) expected to do the trick. The Gunners are also looking to seal a move for David Villa.
