Man U among elite PL clubs looking to target 'outgoing' Barca skipper Puyol

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol may reportedly be targeted by a number of Premier League clubs following his announcement that he will be leaving Camp Nou at the end of the season.

Puyol, who has made just five La Liga appearances this season after suffering with a succession of injuries, is contemplating either retiring from professional football completely or leaving Spain for pastures new at the end of the season.

According to Metro.co.uk, already a handful of clubs-both in Europe and North America-have made initial inquiries as to Puyol's signature, and the defender, who earns ten million euros per season, will be available as a free agent after agreeing to cancel the final two years of his current contract at Barcelona.

The report mentioned that Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are three Premier League clubs who might benefit from Puyol's signature, with United facing a summer clear-out as Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are likely to be on their way out.

Same is the case with Tottenham, which however, has a number of defenders with wiry fitness like Puyol, although the Spaniard could bring a wealth of experience to the north London club following rumours of Jan Vertonghen leaving White Hart Lane.

Arsenal has a solid base with Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny but with Thomas Vermaelen possibly on his way out of the Emirates Stadium, Arsene Wenger will need to reinforce his defensive line, the report added.