Barcelona have confirmed that Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb is set to undergo a medical at the club.

The willowy Belarusian has been a long-term target of the Catalan giants and with Ronaldinho having completed his move to Milan, Hleb's transfer has moved a stepped closer.

The 27-year-old will arrive in Barcelona on Wednesday before completing his medical, with the club intending to tie up a deal within the next 24 hours.

Reports in Spain suggest that the fee will be 15 million euros (£11.9 million), rising to 18 million euros (£14.4 million) depending on results.

Hleb revealed last week that he was in talks with Barcelona and has also spoken of his dissatisfaction with the role he was asked to play for the Gunners last season.

Hleb, who is considered Belarus's greatest ever player, joined Arsenal from German side Stuttgart for £11.2 million in June 2005, and after a slow start he became a key component of the club's feted passing style.

Barca have embarked on a comprehensive re-building process this summer under new coach Pep Guardiola after a second consecutive trophyless season.

Lets hope all changes this season.

The visitors to Cam Nou are often timid and shy, but Real Betis feel they have secured the right to banish such fears as they consider the feared stadium their own domain too.


Real Betis man, Fernando Vega has indicated that the general feeling in FC Barcelona is to upset their hosts, FC Barcelona in tonight’s La Liga cracker at Camp Nou. Betis are not really in contention for top honours at the La Liga with the likes of Barca, Madrid and Sevilla, but want to make themselves official spoilers for the Catalan giants after being pointed at as the major cause of Barca’s failure to win the trophy last season with a last minute draw at Camp Nou which gave Real Madrid great advantage to overtake Barca at the top of the table. Vega now says:

We got a good result last year and we believe we can do the same again this year. We know that we did not play on Wednesday, but we are only thinking about Barcelona. They have so many players that can decide a game and we have to try and leave as little space as possible. We want to give Barcelona another tough match ands come away with at least one point at the end of the day.

FC Barcelona want to defeat Real Betis today at Camp Nou in order to close the gap between the Blaugrana and the Catalan giants which has extended to four points.

High number of ticket demand makes way for better seating arrangement.


As you come to Camp Nou to watch the match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid today at 5 o'clock, please note the seating arrangements and availability of seating at the stadium will follow the Seient Lliure scheme. Read more about this:


Seating Arrangements: FC Barcelona - Atletico Madrid.

Assurance grows as performance is enhanced.


FC Barcelona's president Joan Laporta is sure that Barca will still arrive at its targetted destination by the time this season ends. The president rests his confidence on recent developments in the team player and among the officials too, with positive results coming in from every side. Read Laporta's interview below:


FC Barcelona's Laporta Boosts Team Spirit.

After designing landmarks like the the Collserola Tower, Foster is ready to make a statement with his first construction in Barcelona.


The construction giants are set to display their mastery of the art by delivering a masterpiece for FC barcelona through handlling the Camp Nou project. Read an exclusive interview with the head contructor, Norman Foster. Also watch the interview on Barca TV:


Foster Promises Best Stadium In The World For FC Barcelona.