Pique 'would love' Song signing

Gerard Pique says Barcelona "would love to have" Alexandre Song, amid continued talk of the Spanish club's interest in the Arsenal midfielder.

The Blaugrana have made the Cameroon midfielder a priority as they look to boost their options in the centre of the pitch, according to reports in the Spanish press.

Despite no official bid having been made, Pique believes that should the move happen, then Song would fit in well to the Barca plan that new coach Tito Vilanova is developing.

"I have followed his career and he has become a very good player," the centre-back is quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo.

"He is physically very strong and is good with the ball at his feet.

Song would rival Sergio Busquets for the holding role in front of the Barcelona defence, and Pique is confident that he would be a welcome addition to the ranks.

"We are open to his arrival," he added. "If he comes, and from what I have read he could do, we would love to have him."

Barca continue their pre-season preparations on Saturday when they travel to play Dinamo Bucharest before they kick off the new Spanish campaign at home to Real Sociedad seven days later.