Barcelona are set to pay the £36 million release clause of Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri as they look to sign the Ivory Coast international before the transfer window ends.

With the Catalan giants still looking to bolster their midfield after the departure of Neymar to PSG, the club have been linked to a number of players, most notably Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele.

A totemic presence in Nice’s third place Ligue 1 finish, Seri has another two years remaining on his contract, but is expected to put pen to paper on a deal at Camp Nou as early as next week.

He was a revelation last season, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists in 34 appearances.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that despite Barcelona’s four rejected bids for Coutinho so far, Seri is not considered a replacement for Neymar.

In fact, Seri could well complement Coutinho on the pitch as the Ivorian plays a more deeper lying role in midfield.