Wenger planned to bring Gareth Barry on loan from Man City last summer

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had reportedly attempted to bring Gareth Barry to the Emirates on loan from Manchester City last summer although the Etihad stars refused to allow the player to join a Premier League title rival.

Instead, Barry joined Everton on a season-long loan in which his outstanding form has prompted talk of an international recall and impressed Everton boss Roberto Martinez even attempted to make the move permanent in the January transfer window, which would have freed up a loan slot for former Goodison Park star Jack Rodwell.

According to the Daily Express, City was prepared to sell Barry and then allow Rodwell to rejoin Everton until the end of the season, although the double move broke down when Barry made it clear he wanted to keep his options open until the summer when he becomes a free agent.

Meanwhile, the report also said that Wenger's No1 midfield target is Schalke's Julian Draxler but Wenger refused last month to meet the player's 37 million-pound escape clause as he believes Barry can do a job next season, especially with no fee involved.