Barcelona have made a late move to sign Sevilla star Steven N’Zonzi from under the noses of Arsenal.

The Gunners were thought to be leading the race for the 29-year-old World Cup winner but now Blaugrana have shown their hand.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish giants are willing to meet the former Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City star’s £40million release clause at Sevilla.

That sum has proved a stumbling block for Arsenal while the experienced N’Zonzi has been billed as a perfect squad player to bolster the ranks at Camp Nou, especially if the La Liga club miss out on the signing of Paris Saint-Germain star Adrien Rabiot.