It's two years since Barcelona signed Douglas from Sao Paulo on a five-year deal. His time at the Camp Nou has not been a success.
In his debut season, the Brazilian made seven appearances. Last season it was just three and only one of those was a start.
When Dani Alves was out injured last year, it was presumed Douglas would slot in as his replacement at right-back, instead Luis Enrique chose to play Adriano and Sergi Roberto out of position.
Barcelona attempted to move the player on but have been unsuccessful. Cruzeiro were willing to pay €1.5 million for the 25-year-old but the player did not want to budge. Instead, he wants to stay in Europe and become a Spanish citizen.
An unusual move may now mean the La Liga champions have finally found an alternative home for Douglas. According to Spanish paper Sport, the player could leave Barcelona in exchange for a basketball player - Hungarian shooting guard Adam Hanga.
Hanga's club Laboral Kutxa have agreed a deal sending him to Barcelona's basketball team. The president of Laboral Kitxa, Josea Querejeta, is also the president of newly-promoted La Liga side Alaves, who you will remember from that epic 2001 UEFA Cup final against Liverpool. Querejeta requested that Barca consider selling a player to Alaves in part exchange for Hanga. Barca have suggested Douglas.
Alaves are yet to reply regarding the deal.
