The Spanish heavyweights are on the verge of securing the service of one of La Liga's emerging talents.

Barcelona is close to signing Manchester United and Liverpool transfer target Junior Firpo. The 22-year-old left-back has been tipped for a move this summer and Los Blaugrana has emerged as frontrunners in the pursuit for the Real Betis starlet.

With Jordi Alba turning 30 earlier this year, the Camp Nou outfit were believed to be on the look-out for the Spanish full-back's successor. In the past, European heavyweights were believed to be eyeing a move for Bayern Munich's David Alaba who is said to be available for a substantial amount this summer.

The 27-year-old Austrian international recently admitted that it was an "honor" to be linked to Barcelona but a move to La Liga now looks unlikely with the club purportedly redirecting interest to the camp of Junior Firpo.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio , Los Blaugrana has submitted an improved offer of £24 million for the 22-year-old after seeing an initial offer of £18 million bid thrown out the window. The amount is said to be in the range of Los Verdiblancos valuation of the ex-Spanish U-21 star and negotiations are expected to be concluded in the coming days.

Junior Firpo impressed in defense for Betis last season and managed to score three goals in 24 appearances along the way. The full-back was previously linked with moves to Real Madrid while the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United were all supposedly keeping tabs on his development.