Song: You can't say no to Barcelona

Posted Wednesday, September 26, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

Alex Song has stressed that it was impossible for him to turn down Barcelona after the Catalan powerhouse showed an interest in signing him.

The versatile midfielder joined the Blaugrana from Arsenal in the summer transfer window, and even though he has admitted that it was not easy to say farewell to the Premier League side, he did not need long to consider Barca's offer.

"When Barca want you, you can't say no. A train like that only passes once in a lifetime and you have to catch it," Song was quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo.

"I first heard about their interest in July. They talked with Arsenal, and Arsene Wenger came to tell me. It was difficult to convince Wenger and to say goodbye, because he helped me and my family a lot when I arrived at the age of 17."

The Cameroon international then looked ahead to the upcoming Clasico, and stressed that he will be more than ready if the coach needs him.

"I don't know whether I will play against Real Madrid. It is up to Tito Vilanova," he said. "We would obviously be stronger with Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, but I am ready for the task at hand. I've played against Cristiano Ronaldo before in the Premier League."

Barcelona hosts Real Madrid on Oct. 7, but will take on Sevilla and Benfica before then.