Gunners target: Gareth Barry, left, is attracting the attention of Arsene Wenger (Picture: AP)

Arsenal are weighing up a surprise bid for Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry.

Manager Arsene Wenger has been a long-term admirer of the England man’s qualities and believes the 32-year-old could still prove a valuable addition to his squad.

Wenger is actively looking for a holding midfield player this summer and could turn to Barry having, so far, drawn a blank with his top two targets.

Bayer Leverkuesen have told Arsenal they are not willing to sell Lars Bender, while the financial demands of a move for Everton’s Marouane Fellaini are also proving problematic.


Not for sale: Leverkusen don’t want to lose Lars Bender (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Barry has one year to run on his contract with City, and the Gunners believe a fee of around £3million could prise him away from the Etihad Stadium.



A club source told the Sun: ‘It looks like Arsenal are just weighing things up at the moment and they do have other priorities. But they know Gareth would do a good job for them.’

Wenger was interested in Barry back in 2008, when he almost left Aston Villa for Liverpool, but didn’t push through with a firm bid. A year later Barry moved to City.

Tottenham are also believed to be considering a move for Barry, with Sunderland target Scott Parker set to leave White Hart Lane this summer.

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