Barca strikes deal to sign Alba

Barcelona struck a deal Thursday to sign Valencia and Spain left-back Jordi Alba for 14 million euros ($17.5 million) on a five-year contract, the Catalan club said.

"Barcelona Football Club has today reached an agreement with Valencia for the transfer of Jordi Alba, pending a medical which he will undergo in Barcelona next week," a statement from the club said.

"The cost of the transfer will be 14 million euros and the player will sign a contract for the next five seasons," it added.

The Barcelona sports press had been buzzing with rumours of a northward move for Alba, 23, a Catalonia native who trained in Barca's youth academy and impressed last season in the Spanish league, where Valencia finished third.