Barcelona to Launch £24m Bid For Coveted Colombian Juan Cuadrado

Barcelona are ready to step up the chase for Colombia World Cup star Juan Cuadrado by launching an initial £24m bid for the Fiorentina man.

Having already secured the services of midfielder Ivan Rakitic and keepers Marc Andre Ter-Stegen and Claudio Bravo, the Catalans now plan to complete the signing of Luis Suarez from Liverpool and bolster the right flank with Cuadrado, as they see him as the perfect replacement for Dani Alves.

Barcelona have been monitoring the Fiorentina star for a while, with reports in Spain claiming they secured a verbal agreement with the Colombian star before the World Cup.

Cuadrado's astonishing World Cup performances have complicated negotiations with a number of clubs now joining the race for his services, including Manchester United and Arsenal.

Nevertheless, Spanish newspaper Sport reports Barcelona are still confident of winning the battle with the Premier League giants as the player recently rejected the Gunners' approach, while Fiorentina also turned down a £22m bid from the north London club.

Sport also claims the player's agent Alessandro Lucci has met with Fiorentina officials to express Cuadrado's intention to leave.

The newspaper reports that Barcelona are now ready to open negotiations with the Serie A club in order to complete the deal.

The Catalans are reportedly set to make a £24m approach to pave the way for the negotiations but Sport understands Fiorentina are not willing to negotiate a deal below £31m.

Fiorentina only recently bought the complete ownership rights for the winger from Udinese and co-owner Andrea Della Valle said they want him to stay.

"We will do everything possible to keep hold of Cuadrado, it is a difficult situation, but my first aim is to keep Cuadrado in Florence" Della Valle said.

"There are no firm price-tags set, nor have I spoken to any clubs. I must admit, Cuadrado's performances and visibility in the World Cup are not helping."