The 25-year-old has agreed to join the nine-time European champions having not received any firm offers on a contract renewal at Barca, according to Marca.

Saviola had been told at the beginning of the season by coach Frank Rijkaard that he was surplus to requirements at Barca and should look for another club.

But an injury crisis in attack forced the Dutch coach to recall his diminutive striker and Saviola responded admirably, turning in some impressive displays.

But since star strikers Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho have returned to fitness, Saviola has again found himself out on the sidelines.

Real and Barca refused to comment on the reports but Marca claimed that the capital club had pulled off a transfer coup as Saviola will be out of contract at the end of the season and will cost nothing.

The last player to move from Barcelona to Real was Portuguese winger Luis Figo (now at Inter Milan) and his transfer caused much controversy.

Afterwards the two clubs came to an agreement not to poach each other's players in the future as such moves incensed their fans.

Meanwhile, Marca also claimed that Valencia striker David Villa is set to join Juventus next season, despite interest from Chelsea.

Marca said Juve are expecting to lose French striker David Trezeguet, despite his insistence recently that he will stay with the club who will almost certainly play in the Italian top flight next season, and will replace him with Villa.

English newspaper The Sun had claimed on Tuesday that the 25-year-old Spanish international would join Chelsea for 45 million pounds (about 67.5 million euros).

The Spanish press has reported that Valencia would be willing to accept a 70 million euros for Villa.

"If the Chelsea offer suited us, we would not be able to refuse it," Valencia were quoted as saying according to As newspaper.