Porto close in on deals for Barcelona duo Nico Gonzalez and Julian Araujo

Barcelona are close to closing a double deal with Porto that will allow them to bring in some money and save two salaries. The Blaugrana are expected to announce in the next few hours the transfer of Nico to the Portuguese club with an option to buy him back.

The sale could be made for just under €10 million euros and has the player's 'ok'. Talks have also opened up to loan Mexican full-back Julián Araujo to Porto for one season with an option to buy. And the agreement is also close.

The departure of Nico has been delayed as Porto did not want a pure and simple loan but wanted to go for a purchase, something that created misgivings at Barça. Finally, the option chosen is a sale with an option to buy him back, which all parties will feel comfortable with.

The player would sign for four seasons, but he knows that the Catalan club can buy him back, although he will always have the final say. Everything has been delayed also because of the financial fair-play problems that the Portuguese side have.

More surprising is the move for Araujo, which came up during the talks for Nico. Porto need a full-back and there was speculation about the possibility of Sergiño Dest, but the Portuguese side are more interested in the Mexican international, who they see as a market opportunity. In this case, it would be done through a loan with option to buy and would already have the player's 'ok'.

The sale of Nico should be official in a matter of hours and it is not ruled out that the loan of Araujo will also have the green light soon. The idea is that the Mexican will not join the tour of the United States if, finally, there is an agreement between all the parties.