Barcelona beat Real Madrid to signature of highly-rated Portuguese midfielder
Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Portugal midfielder Andre Gomes from LaLiga rivals Valencia.
The Catalan giants announced the deal on Twitter on Thursday evening.
The 22-year-old, who was part of Portugal's Euro 2016-winning squad, spent the 2014-15 season on loan at Valencia from Benfica before making the move permanent last summer. He made 78 appearances for Los Che, scoring nine goals.
[BREAKING NEWS] Agreement with Valencia CF for André Gomes #AndreGomesFCB pic.twitter.com/n1cmdHd4ET
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 21, 2016
Gomes has impressed in his two seasons at Valencia and Real Madrid and Juventus were both reportedly interested in signing the player.
Following Barca's short initial announcement on social media, a statement on their website read: "FC Barcelona and Valencia CF have reached an agreement for the incorporation of the player Andre Gomes.
"Next week he will sign the contract and will be presented as new player of FC Barcelona."
Gomes won the Portuguese treble - the league and two domestic cups - with Benfica in 2013-14, when they were also Europa League runners-up for the second successive season.
He is Barca's fourth signing of the summer, following fellow midfielder Denis Suarez from Villarreal and France de
