Arsenal are ready to do battle with Manchester City to secure the signing of Sergi Roberto from Barcelona, according to reports.
The 29-year-old, who started his career as a midfielder, switched to right-back as a youngster in order to get into a side containing Andres Iniesta, Javier Mascherano, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic.
Roberto has entered the final year of his contract at Camp Nou and will reportedly reject any new proposal from the club in order to pursue a new challenge.
News outlet Fichajes claim negotiations about a contract extension have broken down, despite the Spain international offering to accept a pay cut for his boyhood club.
Roberto replaced Dani Alves at right-back when the Brazilian left Barca and has made a whopping 315 appearances for the blaugrana.
With the versatile star seeking a long-term contract, the news is thought to have alerted both Arsenal and Man City.
Roberto has chipped in two games and an assist from 11 appearances this season under Ronald Koeman and has won six LaLiga titles and the Champions League twice.
However, he was reduced to tears earlier in the season after being booed by his own supporters for his performance during the 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
And Gerard Pique was critical of the supporters’ reaction to his team-mate, as he said: “The whistles towards Sergi Roberto are hurtful.
“I would like to remind people that he is a midfielder, not a winger. He has made a sacrifice to adapt to that position on the pitch.
“People are free to express themselves but I do not like the whistles, they do not help.
“I know the person, he is a spectacular human being and he wants more than anything for this club to be successful. I am hurt a lot by this.”