Hleb leaving Arsenal next week

According to Setanta Sports, 27 year old Alexander Hleb is expected to take a medical with Barcelona over the weekend and seems set to sign for the Catalan giants early next week.

The Belarus international was reportedly critical of both Arsene Wenger and Cesc Fabregas this week and although he insists these quotes were not accurate, it seems unlikely that he would be welcomed to Arsenal’s pre-season training on Thursday.

Reports in Spain suggest the deal to be worth 15 million euros (£11.9 million) with another 3 million (£2.4 million) should Barcelona win the league in the next two years.

Initially Arsenal was thought to be holding out for 20 million euros when negotiations began in early May. But the recent statements concerning the club’s policy coupled with Hleb’s alleged attack on his team-mates has left Arsenal ready to release the player.

Hleb, who cost £11.2 million when he joined Arsenal from Stuttgart three years ago, is likely to sign a four-year deal.

[Source: Setanta Sports]