The Song's over for Arsenal

Arsenal's Alex Song is close to completing his move to Barcelona after the two clubs agreed a fee for the midfielder.

The 24 year old Cameroonian midfielder, who was not included in Arsenal's 0-0 draw against Sunderland yesterday, is set for contract talks and a medical ahead of the completion of the deal. Though, Arsene Wenger is lining up Real Madrid's 23 year old Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin as a replacement on a season long loan deal.

Wenger said: "It's always frustrating losing good players, but we have plenty of players in midfield,"

"We could bring in further players, Nuri Sahin is on [of the names we are chasing]."

Sahin could join Arsenal on a season long loan deal, though Liverpool have also been linked with the former Borussia Dortmund playmaker.

Song, who had two years left on his contract, joined Arsenal as a 17 year old from French side Bastia in 2005. He arrived on an initial loan deal with a £2.75 million fee agreed to make the move permanent.

Since then Song has gone on to make over 200 appearances for Arsenal, which included 34 last season.

Arsenal do have cover in that area with Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky close to a return to full match fitness, and Wenger is happy with the options he has.

Wenger has also brought it strikers Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, though, their top scorer and captian Robin Van Persie has joined Manchester United.

Gunners hoping to seal deals for Santi Cazorla and Nuri Sahin

Arsenal are currently working on signing Malaga midfielder Santi Cazorla on a permanent deal and Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin on a season long loan deal.

Santi Cazorla's deal is complicated due to Malaga's financial problems but the 27 year old Spanish midfielder is expected to have a medical at the Emirates some time this week.

Nuri Sahin, the 23 year old Turkish international, will join the North London club on a season long loan deal if the clubs and player reach an agreement. Though, Arsenal are hopeful of completing both deals before they kick of their Premier League campaign on the 18th of August at the Emirates against Sunderland.

The Gunners have already completed two big deals for German forward Lukas Podolski from German club Cologne as well as French striker Olivier Giroud from Ligue 1 champions Montpellier.

Though, the club still have major doubts over the future of their captain Robin Van Persie, who's contract expires in 2013, has already said that he won't be extending his stay at the club and has been heavily linked with both Manchester club's.

The signings of Santi Cazorla and Nuri Sahin are not related to Robin Van Persie's situation but has been accelerated by the news that Jack Wilshere will be unavailable until October as he continues on the road to recovery from an ankle injury that has kept him out for some time.

Cazorla joined Malaga from Villarreal last summer and was part of the Spain squads that won the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

Nuri Sahin was signed by La Liga champions Real Madrid in 2011, after having an excellent spell at Borussia Dortmund, on a six year deal but struggled to make an impact last season at the Bernabeu due to injury and Madrid boss Jose Mourinho said he would allow the Turkish midfielder to leave on loan.

Both these signings would be excellent for Arsenal and would add depth, quality, great passing as well as goals to a midfield that plays some fantastic football.