Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed
the club are close to finalising the signing of Brazilian starlet
Keirrison.
The 20-year-old only joined current club Palmeiras from Coritiba
in January, but is now poised to link up with the European
champions.
He has been linked with a string of Europe's leading clubs and
Barca are tipped to complete a 13million euros (£11million) deal in
the coming days.
Reports in Spain have suggested that Keirrison could then
immediately be loaned out to another club as Barca attempt to bring
in a high-profile front man.
Keirrison has been mooted as a potential makeweight in deals for
Valencia's David Villa and Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan, but
Laporta will leave a decision in the hands of coach Pep
Guardiola.
"He will do the pre-season with us and then Pep will decide if
he stays," Laporta told iCat FM.
Meanwhile, Keirrison has confirmed that he is now training on
his own at Palmeiras as he waits to wrap up his switch to Camp
Nou.
The youngster told his personal website: "Dear friends
and fans, I will, unfortunately, not be participating in the next
match against Santos.
"The decision was taken as a group with the board of directors
and while the official negotiations with Barcelona take place, I
will train on my own."
skysports.