BARCA BACK IN FOR PETIT?

The 29-year-old French midfielder has long been linked with a move to La Liga, but the Catalan club were thought to be unwilling to pay £7 million to lure him away from Highbury.

However, the signings of Lauren, Robert Pires and Edu are likely to put pressure on his already uncertain place in the Arsenal side.

It appears that Arsene Wenger is planning for life without the Frenchman and he could look to play out his career in Spain if he is not sure of his Gunners future.

Josep Luis Nunez is reported to have given club officials special permission to enter discussions with Petit, and a deal is expected to be agreed in the coming days, which would then be finalised after the July 23 elections.

The fee, should the deal go ahead, is likely to be around £7 million, although the Spanish side are likely to try to push the figure down, with the player's age meaning that it would be hard to sell him on.

Petit has previously admitted that a move to Barcelona would be in his interests: "There are only four clubs who make me dream; Barcelona, Real Madrid, Milan and Juventus."

Click here to read Barca Say No To Petit
Click here to read Petit Keeps Options Open
Click here to read Petit Tipped For Barca Move