Barcelona agree to sign Hleb from Arsenal - reports

AFP - 10 July 2008 13:35

Belarus´ Alexander Hleb runs with the ball during their match against Germany in Kaiserslautern ahead of the Euro 2008 European Football Championships, May 2008. Barcelona have reached an agreement with Arsenal to sign midfielder Hleb for 15 million euros (23.5 million dollars), Spanish sports media has reported.

MADRID (AFP) - Barcelona have reached an agreement with Arsenal to sign Belarussian midfielder Alexander Hleb for 15 million euros (23.5 million dollars), Spanish sports media reported Thursday.

The Catalan side could announce the transfer of the 27-year-old, who has also been linked with a move to Italian champions Inter Milan, as soon as Thursday afternoon, the reports said.

Hleb said during an interview in Russia earlier this week that he had told Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that he did not like living in London and wanted to leave the club.

"I can't get used to the chaotic way of life in London, where everyone is racing around 24 hours a day. It is uncomfortable and I'm mentally tired. I told Wenger that at our two recent meetings," he said.

Helb, who joined Arsenal from VfB Stuttgart in 2005, scored only 10 goals in his three seasons at the English side.