São Paulo president Carlos Miguel Aidar has admitted right-back Douglas is in talks with Barcelona over a move to the Camp Nou.
Reports earlier in the week by Sport and various other outlets suggested the 24-year-old was being targeted by the Catalan club as a replacement for Brazil international Dani Alves.
And now the president of the Brazil club has confirmed the news regarding Douglas is true when speaking at a press conference recently.
Football Espana quoted Aidar, he said: "I was taken by surprise that Sport had the information.
"Someone mentioned the talks but it wasn’t us. We weren’t interested in going public but things are already known.
"Barca want to sell Dani Alves and are looking for a replacement for him, who would be Douglas."
The São Paulo president admitted the deal is far from completion though but suggested Douglas is in talks with Barcelona.
Aidar added: "The sale isn’t completed because we still have to talk and the economics involved in the operation are the Traffic group [who own 40% of Douglas’ rights], Juan Figger [an intermediary], São Paulo and Barca.
"Two months ago our partner Figger asked if we would sell the player to Barca. We said we were willing to negotiate.
"He’s doing everything and things are progressing well. We haven’t spoken directly to Barca but we are aware of their interest, so are the agents, Traffic. I guess they have already spoken to the player."
