Alex Song. -Photo by AFP

LONDON: Arsenal midfielder Alex Song is the latest star player to leave the Emirates Stadium after Barcelona agreed a deal to sign the Cameroon star on Saturday.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has already lost striker Robin van Persie to Manchester United this week and Arsenal's hopes of a successful campaign suffered another blow with Barca luring Song to the Camp Nou.

The north London club, without a trophy for seven years, confirmed they had accepted Barca's offer for Song just minutes after Saturday's 0-0 draw against Sunderland.

“Arsenal Football Club can confirm that terms have been agreed for the transfer of Alex Song to Barcelona,” an Arsenal statement read.

“Song will now travel to the Catalan club to agree personal terms and undergo a medical ahead of the proposed move.”

Barca then revealed they had agreed to pay 15 million pounds (19 million euros) for Song, who will have a release clause of 80 million euros inserted in his contract.

The 24-year-old won't be able to complete his move in time to feature in Barca's opening La Liga fixture against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Song, who has made 204 appearances for Arsenal during his seven seasons at the club, scoring 10 goals, was missing from the squad for the Sunderland clash after Barca made their interest known earlier in the week.

If he completes his move to Barca, Song would be following a well-worn path, with Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Thierry Henry, Alexander Hleb and Cesc Fabregas having left the Gunners to join Barca during Wenger's reign.

However, while Wenger described van Persie's exit as a “bitter pill”, he isn't so concerned about losing Song and he hinted he could sign a replacement before the transfer window closes on August 31.

“We have (Jack) Wilshere coming back now, we have (Abou) Diaby back, we have (Tomas) Rosicky not far away and we might bring someone in.”

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