Hleb moves closer to Barca move

Alexander Hleb looks set to get his move away from Arsenal as Barcelona close in on a £12m deal for the Belarussian winger.

The exit of the 27-year-old – who said he was “mentally tired” of London life - could be confirmed within the next 24 hours.

The Gunners may also complete the signing of their long-term summer target Samir Nasri from Marseille within the same time frame.

With Nasri replacing Hleb, for what is understood to be a similar fee, manager Arsene Wenger will now look to focus on the rest of his squad who are desperate to build on last season and mount a sustained title challenge.

Arsenal may have to go without leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor, however, as he also appears to be determined to move for a perceived better deal elsewhere.

Despite AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani claiming Arsenal submitted written confirmation they were now ready to do a deal for the Togo frontman, it will be on the Gunners’ terms – with the Barclays Premier League club determined to secure £35m for a player who joined them just two-and-a-half years ago.

With veteran central midfielder Gilberto Silva also in talks over a switch to Panathinaikos, Wenger looks set to have his work cut out ahead of the first competitive game of Arsenal’s season when his team play a Champions League qualifier on August 12/13.

Wenger said: “At the end of the season I just told the players to go on holiday, forget about it for a few weeks, and be ready to come back with a new desire and new hope for next season.”

Just how many of his squad share that determination, however, remains to be seen.

Mathieu Flamini left for AC Milan on a free transfer and so far promising Wales teenager Aaron Ramsey is the only confirmed new arrival, although young Mexican striker Carlos Vela has been added to the first-team group after receiving a work permit following his loan spell in Spain.

Nevertheless, Wenger has always proved a shrewd player in the transfer market and will already have potential replacements in mind should Adebayor leave.

Colombian striker Falcao, rated at around £8m, is the latest name to be thrown into the mix, while the Arsenal manager is a long-time admirer of Newcastle frontman Obafemi Martins and Blackburn’s Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz.

Arsenal have resumed pre-season training, but some players – such as Euro 2008 winner Cesc Fabregas – have been given extra time off following a busy summer.

The squad are set to depart for their Austrian training camp on July 21, by which time Wenger will want all of his transfer business completed to concentrate solely on team building ahead of the new campaign.