Barca confirm Giuly set for Roma

Barcelona´s Ludovic Giuly controls the ball during a Spanish league match against Real Sociedad in Barcelona, 2006. Roma are on the verge of signing Giuly.

      MADRID (AFP) - Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday that French forward Ludovic Giuly was on the verge of signing for Roma.

      The Catalan club were moved to comment after reports in the Italian press that the 31-year-old France international had flown to Rome on Monday and had agreed terms on a three-year contract with the Serie A club.

      Reports suggest the fee will be around five million euros.

      Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain said: "The deal with Roma is done, but the player has still to pass his medical and sign the contract."

      Giuly came through the Lyon set-up as a teenager before moving to French first division rivals Monaco in 1998.

      He left Monaco to join Barcelona following the French club's defeat to FC Porto in the 2004 Champions League final.

      Giuly eventually won a Champions League winners medal two years later when the Spanish giants won the 2006 final against Arsenal.

      He was overlooked for the French squad which reached last year's World Cup final in Germany, which they lost to Italy after a penalty shoot-out.