FC Barcelona are closing in on a deal with Racing Santander for their Argentine central defender Ezequiel Garay according to the Racing president Francisco Pernía.

"Barcelona are interest in Ezequiel Garay and Racing is speaking with them," said Pernía.

"It would surprise me if he went to any other team, apart from Barça, in July. Barcelona are very well positioned. They are at the head of the queue.

"I am the executive president and I have not signed anything, but the player is very close to joining Barça."

A fee of around €14.25 million has been touted around by Spanish sports daily Marca, however, there has been no official word from either side about the fee involved for the transfer.