Barcelona "convinced" of successful transfer ban appeal

Barcelona are confident that they will have their transfer embargo lifted to allow them to sign new players between now and the start of next season.

FIFA have banned the Catalan giants from adding to their squad over the next year after they breached regulations regarding the recruitment of under-18 players.

Vice president Manel Arroyo has revealed that Barcelona's legal team are working alongside the Spanish Football Federation to try to get the suspension overturned and are "convinced" that it will not affect their summer transfer activity.

Arroyo told reporters: "We're working on an appeal that will give us an interim suspension of the transfer ban.

"We want to have a normal summer. We're convinced that we will be able to sign new players. It's a significant ban and our legal team is working so that we'll be able to sign new players this summer."

Barca have already agreed a deal to sign highly-rated Croatian teenager Alen Halilovic from Dinamo Zagreb, and the appeal should allow them enough time to see that move officially go through.