Nelson Semedo is Barcelona's alternative option if they cannot sign Hector Bellerin from Arsenal. While waiting to see how talks evolve with the Premier League side, though, Barça have moved closer to signing Semedo.

The club, as is normal in these cases, have various options to strengthen at right-back. Bellerin has always been first choice, although a deal to sign him is proving complicated due to Arsenal's reluctance to sell.

A few weeks ago, SPORT revealed that Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira visited Barcelona. In the meeting, accompanied by agent Jorge Mendes, Semedo was spoken about, although the price asked for by the Portuguese club (50 million euros) was considered too much.

In Portugal there are reports than contact between the two clubs has been constant. On Tuesday, Mendes was back at Barça's offices and there were further talks, with the price dropping to around 40 million euros.

The Lisbon club are convinced that if Barça can't sign Bellerin, Nelson Semedo will be wearing a Blaugrana shirt next season.