Arsenal are preparing a summer bid for Barcelona star David Villa, according to El Mundo Deportivo.
It is no secret the north London side are interested in the Spain international, but they realise it will be difficult to sign the player in January.
Villa fits perfectly into the plans of Arsene Wenger, but the Frenchman is reluctant to spend heavily given Villa's age.
With Villa's price now around €15 million, Wenger is prepared to wait until the summer, when the player will enter the final year of his contract, before making an official bid.
Arsenal hope an offer in the region of €10 million would prove sufficient in the summer transfer window.
The 31-year-old is reported to be extremely unhappy with the lack of playing time at Camp Nou and it is believed the Catalan giants will have no choice but to cash in on the player next summer.