Chelsea and Manchester City target Alex Song due to the Barcelona midfielder's homegrown status

The Cameroonian midfielder joined Arsenal aged 17

Song's homegrown status makes him an attractive target for Premier League clubs (Getty Images)

Alex Song is a target for both Chelsea and Manchester City this summer because the former Cameroon international counts as a homegrown player, according to reports.

The 27-year-old has been on loan at West Ham from Barcelona this season, but the Hammers are thought to have turned down an option to sign the player on a permanent deal.

According to the Mail, Barcelona will now offload the ex-Arsenal midfielder for around £6m, with both the champions and City both keen to boost the number of homegrown players in their squads.

To fill all 25 available spaces in Premier League squads clubs must include eight players who have played at least three seasons in England before their 21st birthday. Song qualifies after joining Arsenal from the French club Bastia aged 17 in 2005.

Chelsea currently have just three homegrown players in their Premier League squad, the least in the division, while City are third-lowest with six.

Song impressed during the first half of the season at Upton Park but has struggled during the Hammers' recent slump in form. The Cameroonian retired from international football in January to focus on rebuilding his domestic career after making just 39 La Liga appearances in two seasons at the Camp Nou.