Arsenal to swoop for Sergi Samper?

Arsenal are ready to trigger the release of highly-rated Barcelona midfielder Sergi Samper.

Samper have never really got his chance to impress at Camp Nou, with the likes of Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano and Sergi Roberto ahead of him in the pecking order.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger sees the 20-year-old as a long-term replacement for club-captain Mikel Arteta.

Furthermore, the Frenchman is ready to match the £8.5m buy-out clause in the player's contract in the summer transfer window.