Barcelona are on the verge of signing Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon, according to Super Deporte.
Having already reached an agreement to sign Rodrigo from Valencia, Barca plan to send Fernandes on loan to Mestalla for the rest of the season.
Manchester United have been chasing Fernandes this month, but the Spanish champions have now moved to hijack the transfer.
Speaking after a 1-0 victory of Maritimo on Monday, Sporting manager Jorge Silas said: “I can’t confirm it [if Fernandes made his last appearance against Maritimo], I would like him to stay.
“Right now I don’t know if he will stay or not, but I would like to count on him at least until the end of the season.
“Bruno Fernandes is a different player, he sees things that no one sees. Being further back and seeing these movements, the defence begins to decline.
“Any team that had Bruno Fernandes in Portugal would suffer if they lost him. If so we will have to look for solutions.”