Barcelona have reached an agreement to sign Alexander Hleb (Aliaksandr Paŭlavič Hleb) from Arsenal suggested at £11,9m for 4 year deal with another £2,4m if Barcelona were to win the Spanish League in the next 2 years and will make an official announcement in the next two days, Goal.com exclusively reports.
The Belarussian (born May 1, 1981 in Minsk) has been waiting for the two clubs to agree a deal after he agreed personal terms and he will now fly to the Catalan capital to undergo a medical and sign for the Blaugrana.
But Arsenal are holding out for a guaranteed £15m, a fee already offered by German champions Bayern Munich.
Arsenal recognised that they were not going to be able to hold on to the 27 year old and it was just a matter of time before he left the club this summer.
He joined The Gunners from VFB Stuttgart for £11,2m at July 12, 2005.
Hleb will be the first Belarussian to play for the Catalan giants and will make his debut for the club on their trip to Scotland against Hibernian on July 24.
He already slates London living as he said,
"I am not happy with my life in Britain, to be honest," said Hleb. "Elements of day-to-day life may prevent me in future from playing a full part with my team here.
"I can't get used to the chaotic way of life in London, where everyone is racing around 24 hours a day. It is uncomfortable and I'm mentally tired."
Hleb clearly feels he can have an easier life playing for Pep Guardiola's Barcelona as he admits the demands of playing for Arsenal are further reasons for his unhappiness.
He said: "I feel I can't keep squeezing enough out of myself to satisfy a team like Arsenal. As a professional I honestly told Wenger that at our two recent meetings.
"I was seeking his advice on whether I should leave. I also made no secret that some leading European clubs were interested in me. Wenger wasn't happy about that."
And GILBERTO SILVA will also rock Arsenal by signing for Greek giants Panathinaikos.
The Brazilian World Cup winner, 31, is close to sealing a deal with the Super League side for a fee of around £2million.
Arsenal's acting managing director Ken Friar has agreed conditions with Nikos Pateras, the chairman of the Athens-based club.
Friar said: "As far as I know, the player and his agent will travel to Athens to meet with the Panathinaikos representatives.
"If Gilberto reaches agreement with them then we will reach agreement with Panathinaikos."
The former Atletico Mineiro midfielder joined Arsenal in the summer of 2002 and was a key member of the unbeaten side who claimed the Premier League title in 2004.
He also won the FA Cup with Arsene Wenger's side twice - first in 2003 against Southampton and then two years later against Manchester United.
Gilberto said: "I have no problem to come to Greece if financially happy. We will get the proposal in my hands and then stop to think about it.
While his teammates Bakary Sagna accepts Alex Hleb's desire to quit Arsenal - but can't say the same for Emmanuel Adebayor.
"It's part of football…we also lost Mathieu Flamini, who was an important player in midfield," Sagna told L'Equipe about Hleb.
"That's a shame, but I'm not worried. Samir [Nasri] should arrive soon and then there are a lot of young players knocking at the door.
"It may be a good chance for them to make the step. Then, of course if Emmanuel [Adebayor] was to leave, it'd be a massive loss.
"But we're not there yet."
He also admits his new contract is no guarantee he will be staying long-term at Emirates stadium.
He said: "Not necessarily. In fact, it doesn't mean anything.
"The proof is that most of the players leave even when they are under contract. The important thing is most of all to perform well.
"The rest is destiny. Everyone has his."
Sagna was then asked if those words mean he will move on before the new season starts, and he answered: "No! I am most of all thinking of having a good season."
With Emmanuel Adebayor's uncertain future at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger is desperate to sign a striker.
Who is he?
Falcao, 22, scored 38 goals in 58 games for River Plate.
He has terrific pace and is able to finish with either foot.
Wenger is lining up an £8million bid but the Argentines value him closer to £12m.
Arsenal’s interest is sure to annoy Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson.
And also don't forget about Carlos Vela who is determined to establish himself at Arsenal.
"I've always considered the best leagues in the world are the Spanish and the English ones," Vela told Marca. "Having been able to play in Spain has been a very good experience, I learnt a lot.
"The truth is that I know very little English. Only a few words, but not a lot.
"I'll need to learn there. When you need something you learn it pretty quickly."
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