Alex Song transfer: West Ham United to keep hold of Barcelona loan star…
Liverpool and Manchester City face disappointment in their pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Alex Song, who would reportedly prefer to remain with West Ham United, for whom he is currently starring on loan.
The Premier League duo were both hopeful of convincing the former Arsenal man to join them in a deal next summer, after the midfielder had impressed on his return to the division so far this year.
But according to the Daily Mail, Song likes living back in London and is enjoying being a central figure at the Hammers rather than the bit-part player he was at Arsenal, and then Barca.
This will likely put pay to a move to either Anfield or the Eithad Stadium, where Song would certainly not be the main man, or even a guaranteed starter considering the quality of competition.
The 27-year-old left Arsenal for the Catalan giants in 2012, after seven years and 205 appearances for the Gunners. However, after 65 games for the Spanish side he was deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Luis Enrique, leading to his Premier League return this summer.
Song, a Cameroonian international, also has 47 caps for his country, and was part of the woeful 2014 World Cup campaign that saw his side eliminated without picking up a point. He was sent off in the defeat to Croatia.