Barcelona have pulled out of the race to sign Arsenal and Liverpool target Max Meyer, according to reports in Spain.

Meyer’s Schalke contract expires at the end of the season, and he’s repeatedly turned down offers to extend the deal. As a result, there are plenty of rumours that he’ll leave on a free transfer this summer.

The media linked Arsenal, Barcelona and Liverpool with the player in the past, but now Mundo Deportivo (via talkSPORT) say the Catalan club have decided not to pursue the player, after talks with his representatives.

Of course, Arsenal are no strangers to free transfers from Schalke, after Sead Kolašinac made that very switch last summer.

We previously looked at Meyer as a possible replacement for Santi Cazorla, given his short stature, quick feet and creative abilities.

Looking at the current Arsenal squad, the German could make a good addition. The team don’t currently have many players capable of building attacks from the back. Instead, players like Özil and Mkhitaryan have to drop deep.

If Cazorla is still out by summer, the German would be a low risk option on a free transfer. Now that Barcelona are out of the race, Arsenal should move quickly to wrap things up. Otherwise Liverpool are likely to get in there first.