Hleb set for Barca medical

(GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb is on the verge of completing a move to Barcelona, the Catalan club have confirmed.

The 27-year-old Belarus international is set to arrive in the city at lunchtime before undergoing a medical later in the day.

Barca confirmed Hleb could be presented as early as tomorrow and reports in Spain suggest they will pay the Gunners £11.9million.

"The player Alexander Hleb, who has spent the past three seasons at Arsenal, arrives today in Barcelona to undergo a medical prior to his incorporation in FC Barcelona," read a statement on the club website, www.fcbarcelona.com.

"From 1pm, the player will be in the offices of the club to take part in the usual photocall.

"Then, at 4pm, the footballer will have a medical in the Hospital de Barcelona and, from 7pm, will continue these tests in the Medical Centre of FC Barcelona.

"On the assumption that he passes these tests satisfactorily, Alexander Hleb could sign a contract tomorrow and be presented as a new player at FC Barcelona."

If all goes to plan, Hleb will become Barca's fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Seydou Keita, Gerard Pique, Martin Caceres and Daniel Alves.

Hleb's departure from the Emirates Stadium has seemed likely all summer after the player admitted he was "mentally tired" of the combination of living in London and playing top-level football.

Inter Milan were also linked but their interest appeared to cool after the appointment of Jose Mourinho as manager.

Hleb cost £11.2million when he joined Arsenal from Stuttgart in 2005.