Bigger club but lower salary for Poulsen

Catalan sports paper Sport says that, despite the denial of the player (read more here), the negotiations between Barcelona and Sevilla midfielder Christian Poulsen (28) are well-advanced and that only one obstacle remains: Poulsen will have to accept a pay cut.

With three million euro a year, the Danish international is the best paid player of Sevilla. Paying him the same salary would not only go against Barcelona's wage policy, but would also make Poulsen earn more than defensive midfielder Yaya Touré (24), while Poulsen in theory would become Touré's back-up.

Barcelona now hopes that the player will accept a wage reduction in exchange for a long term contract and the chance to play for a European top club.

(read more on the Poulsen transfer story here)