Barça Confirm Hleb Talks

[Chase]

Barcelona have for the first time confirmed that they are in talks with wantaway Arsenal star Alexander Hleb.

There had been reports that the Catalan giants had pulled out the race for the coveted Belarus international, but the latest word from the Camp Nou suggest the opposite is true.

“The negotiation with Hleb is still in progress and despite him being a player with special qualities, if his club are not ready [to sell him], we have other options in mind,” Barcelona vice-president Marc Ingla said to Catalunya Radio.

Hleb, 27, has been linked with a move away from the Emirates for the past four months, with Italian giants Internazionale long thought to be leading the way.

Inter's interest has since cooled, however, with new coach Jose Mourinho believed to have turned the club's attention to Ricardo Quaresma instead.

While Real Madrid have also cast affectionate glances in his direction, Bayern Munich are thought to be the only other serious candidates for the ex VfB Stuttgart star's signature.