What is delaying Barcelona's signing of Paco Alcacer?

Paco Alcacer is closer than ever to joining Barcelona and becoming the Spanish champions' fifth summer signing.

In the last few hours the press in Valencia have published that the player has informed the club directive of his willingness to leave for the Camp Nou in a deal that would be very favourable to Los Che.

Valencia owner Peter Lim agreed a few days ago during a meeting with Barça president Josep Maria Bartomeu that the fee would be 30 million euros fixed plus variables while Munir El Haddadi and Sergi Samper would move the other way to the Estadio de Mestalla.

However, Los Che are failing to progress negotiations at a fast enough pace as transfer deadline day looms - so what is causing the deal to falter?

As reported in Superdeporte, it's a matter of form. Lay Hoon Chan, president of Valencia, and sporting director Suso Garcia Pitarch have publicly stated that they will not sell Alcacer since he's recognised as an idol by the supporters.

The finances that would come Valencia's way for the 22-year-old would certainly help strengthen the squad for the season, but if the club hierarchy go back on their word and sell the Spain international they would, in the eyes of the fans, be seen as the bad guys.

Alcacer has already told Valencia of his desire to join Barça but doing so in public would mean that he would quickly fall from his perch of club icon to traitor in the blink of an eye.

Both clubs involved in the deal are stalling over Alcacer because both hope that the other will make the first move in public, which is particularly evident in Valencia's case in order to save their reputation.