Barcelona are in "advanced negotiations" over the signing of a new goalkeeper, with Pepe Reina and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen on their shortlist.
The Catalan giants are readying themselves for the departure of current number one Victor Valdes, who has revealed he will not be penning a contract extension at Camp Nou.
The La Liga outfit are looking to fill the void as a matter of urgency and claim to be closing in on the signature of a top target.
Josep Maria Bartomeu, one of Barca's vice-presidents, told RAC1: "We have been looking for a goalkeeper since Valdes announced he wanted to leave.
"We are in highly advanced negotiations. If Valdes says officially where he will go to in January, we will announce the new goalkeeper for Barcelona.
"Our idea is to sign only one goalkeeper. (Borussia Monchengladbach's) Ter Stegen and (Napoli's on-loan Liverpool keeper) Reina are within our range of options, which is already very small."
Meanwhile, Bartomeu has revealed that Barcelona will give Lionel Messi until the New Year to work his way back from a torn hamstring, with the talismanic playmaker determined to ensure that he suffers no recurrence of a niggling knock.
Bartomeu said: "Early on we were nervous as we did not expect him to get injured again.
"The important thing now is that there is good planning and that there is the peace and time for him to return to Barcelona at his very best. We do not forget that he is our best player.
"Messi is now aware that he has a physical limit. His injury could be resolved within two or three weeks, but his recovery will be longer so that he can recover physically for when he returns in January 2014.
"Messi's injury will be to the benefit of everyone. He will return fully recovered and the team will prove that they can win without him."
