Agent: Hleb returning to Barca

(GSM) – Alexander Hleb will return to Barcelona despite reported interest from Premier League clubs, according to his agent.

Both Manchester City and Aston Villa are reported to be admirers of 28-year-old Belarus international, who ended a mixed three years at Arsenal when joining Barcelona for a fee of £11.8 million in the summer of 2008.

But Hleb’s agent, Uli Ferber, has dismissed reports that the midfielder could return to the Premier League this summer, telling Soccernet that his client is “looking forward” to rejoining parent club Barcelona in the summer.

“At the moment from July 1 he will be playing again at Barcelona,” Ferber told Soccernet.

“This [moving to England] is just speculation and we will not be talking about things like that.

“Finally he will return to Barcelona. Is there a chance he will stay at Stuttgart? No. He is under contract with Barcleona and he is looking forward to playing there.”

Hleb’s first year in La Liga was a disappointment as he failed to make an impact with Barca and the playmaker has also failed to shine following his return on loan to Stuttgart, whom he joined for just £70,000 in 1999 when making the move from his native Belarus.

It remains doubtful whether his long-term future remains at Barcelona given Pep Guardiola has players of the calibre of Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi at his disposal, and both City and Villa are believed to be ready to tempt him back to England.