Barcelona transfer news: Alen Halilovic agent confirms pre-agreement to make 'ideal' Valencia move

Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle to sell Alen Halilovic to Valencia ahead of next season, the agent of the Croatian international has confirmed. Zoran Stojadinovic added that the La Spanish giants would secure a buy-back option as part of the deal, while claiming that a move to Mestalla looks "ideal" for the 19-year-old to continue his development.

Halilovic moved to the Nou Camp in the summer of 2014 from Dinamo Zagreb after he garnered a reputation as the next big thing to emerge from Croatian football, tipped to follow in the footsteps of current Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic and Real Madrid's Luka Modric.

The teenager spent a campaign with the Barcelona second team before being loaned to Sporting Gijon during the last summer transfer window in order to given him some playing time in the top flight. The forward has showed glimpses of his talent during his time at the Asturian side, helping them avoid relegation to the second division while earning a spot in the 27-man provisional Croatia squad for the European Championship finals in France.

Barcelona manger Luis Enrique, however, recently suggested that a return to a squad that features the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar in his position would be still too soon for the youngster.

Sporting Gijon themselves, Villarreal, Sevilla and Valencia have all since been linked with a loan move for his services, while his agent recently revealed that two top Premier League clubs and a further two from the Bundesliga have joined the race to secure his services.

Stojadinovic also claimed that another loan move would be the most likely option as the youngster has still three more years in his contract at Barcelona with an stunning €35m (£27.4m, $39.7m) release clause

But it looks that Barcelona have finally accepted to part ways with the starlet to Valencia on a permanent basis, including a buy-back option to have control of his future should he become a major star, as they are expected to do this summer by re-signing Denis Suarez.

Halilovic has confirmed the news to Cadena Ser show La Graderia: "More or less they [Barcelona] have reached an agreement in principle with Valencia for his transfer with a buy-back option."

The final deal will depend on an agreement with Halilovic himself, but Stojadinovic suggests that the players is more than likely to move to Mestalla.

"As a former player and Halilovic's agent I see his move to Valencia with good eyes. He would like to stay in Spain and Valencia are a very good team. I think that right now Valencia are the ideal team to continue his progress."

Even though the release clause of Halilovic is set at €35m, La Graderia adds that the deal could be closed for something around €5m. The Catalans, nevertheless, will keep this way the option to re-sign him in the three coming seasons for €10m, €12 or €15m respectively.

Sporting Gijon, nevertheless, have reportedly not given up on keeping him one further season and are expected to make a new approach to convince Halilovic to snub Valencia and stay with them instead.