Report: Arsenal want Samper

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is said to be ready to meet the €12m transfer clause of Barcelona midfielder Sergi Samper.

Mundo Deportivo claim Wenger has previous for interest in Samper, having tried to prise him away in 2011 at the same time he shared Hector Bellerin and Jon Toral.

Wenger also went for Samper a year ago, the newspaper reveals, while Porto made a call earlier this summer with Coach Julen Lopetegui speaking personally to the player.

Barca value Samper highly as one of their best prospects but the path to the first team is crowded, with Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano and Sergi Roberto all in the way.

Samper has outgrown Barca B, it’s felt, particularly after the subsidiary was relegated, and Barca would like Samper to go on loan.

But Samper could decide to accept Arsenal’s offer with Wenger looking for a long-term replacement for Mikel Arteta.

Tags Arsenal Arsene Wenger Sergi Samper
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