Barcelona have reportedly opened talks with Fiorentina regarding the £23.8million purchase of wideman Juan Cuadrado.
According to Catalan publication Sport, the Colombia international’s representatives have arrived in Spain and will hold talks during the next 48 hours in an attempt to thrash out a deal which suits all parties.
The up-front fee is likely to prove a serious stumbling bloack as the Serie A outfit are not interested in parting company with one of their star performers for the kind of price the La Liga heavyweights are proposing.
Sport claims the Viola are ready to hold out for at least another £10m, not least because the 26-year-old caught the eye during his national side’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals, where they were beaten 2-1 by host nation Brazil.
Cuadrado is said to have set his heart on what he views as a dream switch to the Nou Camp, giving his suitors fresh hope of landing him in the coming days.
If head coach Luis Enrique does get his man, it will come as a major disappointment to the likes of Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and Turin giants Juventus, both of whom have expressed an interest in the winger.
Cuadrado scored 13 goals in 38 appearances for his club last term while also receiving 12 yellow cards and one red.