Barca sports chief Txiki Begiristain has had Amauri watched twice in the last fortnight, says Controcampo, and has received glowing reports about the centre-forward.

AC Milan are also keen on Amauri, though like Barca won't consider Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini's £20 million asking price.

Barca are prepared to go as high as £16 million for the centre-forward, who would provide a different option in attack to the club's stars Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry and Bojan Krkic.