Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb is completing his move to
Barcelona, the Catalan club have confirmed.
The 27-year-old Belarus international arrived in the city at
lunchtime before undergoing a medical in the afternoon.
Barca confirmed Hleb will be presented officially as early as
tomorrow and reports in Spain suggest they will pay the Gunners
£11.9million.
'The player Alexander Hleb, who has spent the past three seasons
at Arsenal, arrives today in Barcelona to undergo a medical prior
to his incorporation in FC Barcelona,' read a statement on the club
website.
'From 1pm, the player will be in the offices of the club to take
part in the usual photocall.
'Then, at 4pm, the footballer will have a medical in the Hospital
de Barcelona and, from 7pm, will continue these tests in the
Medical Centre of FC Barcelona.
'On the assumption that he passes these tests satisfactorily,
Alexander Hleb could sign a contract tomorrow and be presented as a
new player at FC Barcelona.'
If all goes to plan, Hleb will become Barca's fifth summer
signing following the arrivals of Seydou Keita, Gerard Pique,
Martin Caceres and Daniel Alves.
Hleb's departure from the Emirates Stadium has seemed likely all
summer after the player admitted he was "mentally tired" of the
combination of living in London and playing top-level
football.
Inter Milan were also linked but their interest appeared to cool
after the appointment of Jose Mourinho as manager.
Hleb cost £11.2million when he joined Arsenal from Stuttgart in
2005.
