Barcelona said sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta was negotiating with the player’s agent in the Catalan capital on Thursday.

Spanish media put the price tag for the Chilean international at €26 million ($37 million) with bonuses possibly taking the deal near €40 million ($57 million).

Sanchez, who previously played for Chile’s Colo Colo, has played for Udinese since joining from Argentine team River Plate in 2008.