FC Barcelona are preparing to make a formal offer to sign Claude Makélélé from Chelsea and the London club are unlikely to stand in his way, according to L'Equipe.
With Thiago Motta being told that he can leave and EdmÃlson set to follow him out of the club when he recovers from injury, Barça want back-up for the position.
Touré Yaya is seen as the long-term option to play in front of the back four after his arrival from Monaco and Makélélé would be used a mentor figure.
Chelsea would have few problems allowing the former Real Madrid midfielder leaving after he fell out of favour last term for critcising the Abramovich regime.
Makélélé has played just 45 minutes in the Blues' pre-season run so far this summer and is keen to find a new club, with PSG and Juventus also said to be monitoring the situation.
Any transfer fee would be minimal for the 34-year-old, who is behind Job Obi Mikel, Mickaël Essien and Lassana Diarra for the position at Stamford Bridge.
Despite Barça set to ask the French veteran to take a pay cut to join them, the chance to team up with Thierry Henry, Éric Abidal and Lilian Thuram at Camp Nou could be too good to turn down.
