Barcelona are looking to sign another Arsenal player, in Laurent Koscielny.
According to the Spanish press, Barca are desperate to sign a new central defender and after losing out on No 1 target Thiago Silva to Paris St Germain, and they have now set their eyes on Koscielny.
The 25-year-old had an impressive second season with Arsenal, forming a good partnership with Thomas Vermaelen, who incidentally, has also been linked with a move to Barcelona.
The Catalan giants are ready to offer £15 million ($23.3 million) for the Frenchman. It is highly unlikely, Arsenal will accept any bids for Koscielny, and it is understood the defender is in talks with the Gunners over a new contract, which will keep him at the Emirates for the foreseeable future.
A player definitely heading for the exit door, Carlos Vela, is moving ever closer to sealing a deal with Real Sociedad, the Spanish club where he spent the entire last season on loan.
Sociedad and Arsenal have been trying to agree a fee, with Arsenal expecting £6 million ($9.3 million), while Sociedad are only willing to pay around £3.5 million ($5.5 million).
Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay, however, said talks were progressing and hoped to sort out the deal soon. "We're getting somewhere," Aperribay told AS. "But there's nothing set in stone yet.
"As the talks have evolved, I'm moderately optimistic, but there's no deal yet."
Sociedad manager Philippe Montanier was also optimistic. "The president is optimistic because I want a quick solution.
"I expect that Carlos will arrive in this next week."
Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson said the entire squad is excited by the new signings of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.
With Robin Van Persie expected to leave the club, Arsenal have already strengthened their attacking line by agreeing deals for the experienced German international Podolski and last year's top scorer in the French League Giroud, for a combined fee of over £24 million ($37.3 million).
"They are two world-class players, they are fantastic signings and fantastic assets for this club," the 20-year-old Jenkinson told the club's official website.
"I am really looking forward to playing alongside them both. Everyone is delighted that we have signed players of that caliber."
