Barcelona's Alen Halilovic "close" to Valencia loan

The agent of Barcelona youngster Alen Halilovic has confirmed that his client is "close" to joining Valencia on loan for the 2016-17 season.

The 19-year-old, who joined Barca in 2014, has spent the most recent campaign with Sporting Gijon on a similar agreement.

However, rather than return to the senior squad at Camp Nou, Halilovic is now bound for the Mestalla.

"My understanding is that it was a long conversation [between Barcelona and Valencia] and they are close to signing a pre-agreement," Halilovic's representative Zoran Stojadinovic told COPE.

"Valencia are a big team who play good football. I would recommend them, no doubt."

Halilovic scored five goals in 33 appearances for Gijon.