Barcelona close in on Benfica full back Nelson Semedo

Barcelona are closing in on the signing of Portugal full back Nelson Semedo from Benfica with Spanish media reporting on Thursday that he was joining the club for an estimated 30 million euros ($34.20 million) plus five million in add-ons.

A deal for the 23-year-old would end Barca’s pursuit of Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin, who left the club’s academy as a teenager and was reported to be their number one right-back target although the Premier League do not want to sell.

Semedo broke into Benfica’s first team in 2015 and made 46 appearances last season as they won a league and cup double.

He has six international caps but was sent off in this month’s Confederations Cup third-place playoff match.

Barca will hope signing the attack-minded Semedo can fill the gaping hole at right back left by the departure of Dani Alves in 2016 after the limitations of converted midfielder Sergi Roberto in the role were exposed last season.

The 27-year-old Aleix Vidal, who can fill in at right back or on the right wing, missed three months of the campaign with an ankle injury suffered in early February.

Barcelona reported for pre-season training on Wednesday although Lionel Messi, Neymar, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique return on Friday after a promotional tour of Japan.

The Liga runners up depart for their pre-season tour of the United States next week, where they will face Juventus, arch rivals Real Madrid and Manchester United.

(REUTERS)