BUENOS AIRES, Oct 7 (Sw) - FC Barcelona are close to signing young Independiente goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, according to Argentine media.

The 20-year-old was part of Argentina's World Cup squad during the summer. Indepentiente director of football Julio Comparada is said to meet with his Barcelona counterpart Txiki Begiristain.

Independiente are reported to demand €8 million, while Barcelona are bidding somewhere between €6.5 and €7 million.

Meanwhile, Barcelona chairman Joan Laporta is in Argentina to attend the Buenos Aires classic between River Plate and Boca Juniors, with his eyes rumoured to be set on Fernando Gago and Rodrigo Palacio.