Barcelona set for Lima blow

The Catalans are understood to have been tracking the player for months but he is believed to be close to confirming that he will stay in Brazil for another season.

The player recently admitted that Santos' president is making a "big economic effort" to keep the player at the club.

In quotes taken from an interview with 'Globo Esporte', Lima commented that "the proposed contract is very good, the president is making a big effort to keep me here. I will talk with my family and then I will give an answer as to which club I have decided on."

Despite Barcelona's tireless efforts to convince him that his future is best served in Catalonia, it appears that the player is set to stay with his current employers.

Santos' plan to convince him to stay included a meaty pay rise, "the financial side of things is obviously important but it is not the most important aspect. I want to keep playing for the national team, to win titles and to be loved by the fans. I will think about the money, of course, but it will not be my first thought." he told 'Globo Esporte'.