Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly ‘interfered’ with Barcelona’s transfer plans, simply by trying to sign a player they thought they had in the bag.

• Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta accused of interfering in Barcelona’s transfer saga.
• The alleged target of the meddling: Manchester City’s midfielder, Ilkay Gundogan.
• The intervention could reportedly seriously impact Barcelona’s transfer ambitions which would be such a shame.

Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan, whose future has been the subject of widespread speculation, is a reported target of Mikel Arteta’s, an interest which has been called ‘meddling’ by some in the Spanish press.

With Gundogan’s contract renewal with Manchester City yet unsigned, the list of suitors hoping to secure his services is extensive.

Among these suitors were Barcelona, planning to capitalise on the free agent formula that has worked so well for them recently.

But now, it appears their position as favourites has been threatened, and the interference is said to have come from an unexpected quarter: Arsenal, as if no other club has ever tried to sign a player Barcelona were interested in before.

Barcelona’s potential disadvantage in the economic aspect of the deal, when it comes to offering a lucrative contract, is well known. And this is precisely where Premier League teams, including Arsenal, might have an edge.

Under Arteta’s guidance, Arsenal are reportedly willing to go to great lengths to bring in the World Champion midfielder.

The Spanish coach, according to The S*n, has requested a meeting with Gundogan in a bid to persuade him of Arsenal’s potential and the project at hand.

Despite the brewing controversy, Barcelona can still hope that the player’s personal preference might trump the monetary aspect, although he is said to favour staying with City.

Mateu Alemany, Barcelona’s football director, had initiated the process to secure Gundogan quite a while ago, but now it seems the case is wide open.