Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal rival Manchester City in bargain move for Barcelona captain Carles Puyol
Arsenal and Manchester City are ready to do battle for the signature of Barcelona veteran Carles Puyol, according to reports in Spain.
City have been linked with the Spain international since the summer, and now the Gunners have emerged as rival bidders, reports Catalan newspaper Sport.
The 31-year-old is out of contract at the Nou Camp next summer and feels may now be the right time to test himself abroad.
Puyol has previously rejected the possibility of moving to Manchester United but faces diminishing opportunities at Barca following the summer signing of Dmytro Chygrynskiy from Shakhtar Donetsk and the return to fitness of Argentina international Gabriel Milito.
Puyol does not appear a natural signing for Arsene Wenger, but would add experience to a back four that lost 28-year-old Ivory Coast star Kolo Toure to Manchester City in the summer.
The chance to take a 78-cap international, who can play anywhere along the back four, on a free transfer is likely to attract many suitors.
But the Barca captain is said to be particularly keen to test himself in England. The Catalan admires the pace and physical nature of the Barclays Premier League and believes it is a perfect fit with his style.
