The Belarus midfielder was expected to move to Inter Milan on loan as part of the swap deal that took Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barcelona and Samuel Eto'o to the Italian champions.

But he has apparently turned down the opportunity to play for the Nerazzurri.

"Barcelona have reached an agreement with Stuttgart over the transfer of Hleb," the Catalans said in a statement on their official website.

"The 28-year-old will return to the Bundesliga to play for Stuttgart, four years after leaving them."

Hleb, who rarely featured in the plans of Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola last season, played for Stuttgart between 2000 and 2005 before joining English side Arsenal.