Barcelona look set to sell two of their fringe players, with Chelsea on the brink of signing Alex Song and Martin Montoya keen on a move to Inter Milan.

Former Arsenal midfielder Song has spent the season on loan at West Ham, returning to London after his failed spell at the Camp Nou, and it now seems that Chelsea will extend the player’s stay in the capital.

David Wright of the Express says Song has “impressed” manager Jose Mourinho with his performances over the past 12 months, and the Blues coach is said to be willing to pay £6 million to add the player to his Premier League-winning squad.

Wright says Liverpool and Arsenal have also expressed interest in the Cameroon international—but Chelsea’s status as champions would surely give them the edge in any pursuit.

The 27-year-old was in top form for most of the season as the Hammers occupied the top half of the table, with Song featuring 28 times for the east London outfit, per Squawka.

And Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph says Song may yet remain at Upton Park, with the player said to be happy with new managerial appointment Slaven Bilic:

For a player of Song’s ability and age, and considering he still has two years on his current deal, per Wright, the £6 million price represents a bargain for prospective clubs.

However, it is clear that Song is surplus to requirements at the Catalan superclub, and the EPL is the obvious destination for the midfielder, who spent six seasons playing for the Gunners.

 

Alves Renewal Prompts Montoya Exit

Despite strong interest from a host of English clubs, it seems that Martin Montoya has his heart set on a move to the San Siro to join Inter Milan.

Izzy Horsefield of the Express says the defender will snub Arsenal and Liverpool in favour of a transfer to the Serie A giants.

Horsefield quotes the player’s agent, Juan de Dios Carrasco, speaking to FCInterNews about his client’s hopes and ambitions for the coming season:

Next week we will have a meeting with Barcelona and hear what they have to say. Obviously, Martin would like to play more consistently. Before saying one way or the other, I want to first talk to the club, but as I repeat he wants to be a starting player. We’ll know much more on the situation next week. Inter would certainly be a welcome destination, especially if he’d be used as a regular starter. We are talking about a great club.

The continued selection of Alves, who appeared to be on his way out of the club before renewing his deal, has stifled Montoya’s progress at the Camp Nou.

Montoya started only seven games in La Liga and the Champions League during the recent campaign, per WhoScored.com, and with Alves remaining, his starting opportunities will remain limited. 

Both Song and Montoya are strong squad-playing individuals but are also too good to sit on the bench for extended periods. Barcelona’s strength and depth is at an optimum at the moment, and both players will be successes at other clubs.

Song is a credible defensive talent and the perfect holding midfielder in the right team. However, a transfer to Chelsea would cause him similar issues—with time on the bench guaranteed behind the likes of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas.

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