The President of Brazilian club Sao Paolo has confirmed Barcelona have made contact over right-back Douglas.
Sport reports Carlos Miguel Aidar as saying at the presentation of the club’s new signing Michel Bastos that there have been negotiations and that he didn’t know how the news got out.
“I was taken by surprise that Sport had the information,” Aidar admitted.
“Someone mentioned the talks but it wasn’t us. We weren’t interested in going public but things are already known.
“Barca want to sell Dani Alves and are looking for a replacement for him, who would be Douglas.
“The sale isn’t completed because we still have to talk and the economics involved in the operation are the Traffic group [who own 40% of Douglas’ rights], Juan Figger [an intermediary], Sao Paolo and Barca.
“Two months ago our partner Figger asked if we would sell the player to Barca. We said we were willing to negotiate.
“He’s doing everything and things are progressing well. We haven’t spoken directly to Barca but we are aware of their interest, so are the agents, Traffic. I guess they have already spoken to the player.”
