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Barcelona Eye Up Arsenal Target As Philippe Coutinho Alternative

Barcelona Eye Up Arsenal Target As Philippe Coutinho Alternative

Arsene Wenger wants to add to his squad but he could be thwarted by Barcelona if they drop their pursuit for Liverpool's star man.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Arsene Wenger and Barcelona have a long history when it comes to transfers and the two could come face to face again. This time though it won't be over one of the Gunners' players but instead one of their targets.

As far back as the summer of 2000 when Barcelona signed Marc Overmars and Emmanuel Petit from Arsenal the two clubs have come up against each other quite a bit in the transfer market.

Often it has been the Spanish giants trying to sign one of Arsene Wenger's players with mixed results- Alexander Hleb and Thierry Henry having very different impacts at the Camp Nou.

A young Fabregas after his move from Barcelona, his return wasn't what he'd hoped and he was soon back in England. Image: PA

In Cesc Fabregas, Hector Bellerin and Alexis Sanchez the Catalan side have potentially had the best of the recent transactions with Fabregas' return, Alex Song's move and Thomas Vermaelen ill fated transfer the most recent moves from England to Spain.

Now though the two clubs could be sending evil looks at each other as, according to Goal, both Wenger and Ernesto Valverde are keeping track of 21 year-old CSKA Moscow midfielder Aleksandr Golovin.

Golovkin playing for Russia in the Confederations Cup in the summer. Image: PA

Russian football agent Sandor Varga revealed to Sport Express that he had been scouting the player for the Premier League side saying, "This summer, I watched Aleksandr a lot at the request of Arsene Wenger.

"Once such clubs follow the player, it means there's something there. Their scouting services don't just watch them for fun."

The Russian, playing above for his club side in the Champions League last season, has impressed two of Europe's big clubs. Image: PA

The 21 year-old has played 13 games in the Russian Premier League so far this term and has scored two goal. He has also played in the Champions League with the Russian side in Manchester United's group.

Barca could make a move for the player in January as an alternative for Philippe Coutinho whilst Arsenal could free up funds and space in the squad if Alexis Sanchez and/or Mesut Ozil move in the transfer window.

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Topics: Football News, Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho, Sanchez, ozil, Arsenal, Transfer news