According to French newspaper L'equipe, both teams might go head-to-head for the £25m rated midfielder, who at 6ft 1in can operate as an attacking midfielder, and can be utilised as a withdrawn striker - his successful partnership with (am I permitted to call him a Gunner yet?) Maraoune Chamakh worked miracles at the Haillan outfit and they helped Bordeaux put an end to Lyon's dominance of the Ligue1 two seasons ago.
Manchester City are undoubtedly the favourites considering the amount of resources available at Roberto Mancini's disposal.
However, Arsenal might be tempted to step in with a last minute bid, if Barca target Cesc Fabregas decides to quit the Gunners for an unlikely return to the Camp Nou.
