Barcelona and Inter have reached an agreement in principle to swap Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Barca forward Samuel Eto'o plus cash, the Primera Liga and European champions said yesterday.

The conclusion of the deal depends on the Sweden and Cameroon internationals agreeing personal terms, Barca president Joan Laporta was quoted on the Catalan club's website (www.fcbarcelona.cat) as telling a news conference.

Barca did not specify the amount of cash involved but Spanish media reported it was about 40 million euros ($56 million) and that Barca's Belarus midfielder Aleksandr Hleb would be heading to Inter on loan as part of the deal.

Barcelona said Laporta wanted to make clear a final deal had not been completed and the club were still considering other options, including the purchase of Valencia striker David Villa.

"The Ibrahimovic deal is not done and dusted and it would be too early to say which of the two options is the most satisfactory," Laporta said.

"In the end we will choose the option that is best for Barca."

Ibrahimovic would be Barca's second buy of the close season following their purchase of Inter's Brazilian left back Maxwell, which was completed earlier yesterday for a fee of 4.5 million euros rising to a possible 5 million.

Barca's arch rivals Real Madrid have spent more than 200 million euros bringing in players including Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil playmaker Kaka.