Barcelona chairman Joan Laporta announced that his club were on the verge of signing Palmeiras' Brazilian striker Keirrison. The up-and-coming player moved last January to Palmeiras from Coritiba, where he stared his professional career in 2006. Now the 20-year-old is set for his first adventure outside his homeland, but he has to undergo a trial before completing the deal. "He will do the pre-season with us and then Pep (Guardiola) will decide if he stays," Laporta told iCat FM. Spanish media reported that the Catalans would land Keirrison for £11 million should he impress head coach Guardiola and pass a medical. From his side, Keirrison confirmed that his spell at Palmeiras has all but ended, saying the talks over his potential move to the European champions are still underway. "Dear friends and fans, I will, unfortunately, not be participating in the next match against Santos," he said on his personal website. "The decision was taken as a group with the board of directors and while the official negotiations with Barcelona take place, I will train on my own."
