Brighton FLOP linked with sensational Barcelona transfer

Cameron Smith

• 20 Jan 2023 17:20 GMT
• 3 min read

Former Brighton & Hove Albion forward Jurgen Locadia has been linked with a remarkable transfer to Barcelona following Memphis Depay's move to Atletico Madrid.

The Blaugrana are reportedly looking to sign a new attacker to replace the outgoing Dutchman, who has signed for Atleti for €3 million, with a further €1m in potential add-ons.

Depay made just four appearances for Barcelona in the first-half of the season, and has been signed as Joao Felix's replacement at the Wanda Metropolitano after the Portuguese international joined Chelsea on loan.

READ: Official: Memphis Depay joins Atletico Madrid from Barcelona

Atletico Madrid have also sold Matheus Cunha to Wolverhampton Wanderers during this transfer window, meaning Depay is likely to play a key role under Diego Simeone. The 28-year-old has already begun training with his new team-mates.

According to SPORT, Barcelona have identified Locadia as a shock potential candidate to join the club this month. The 29-year-old is now a free agent after terminating his contract at Iranian side Persepolis in late December. He netted six times in just nine games for Persepolis after joining on a free transfer from VfL Bochum.

Were he to arrive, Locadia would become the ninth player to join Barcelona on a free transfer since 2021. Andreas Christensen, Marcos Alonso, Franck Kessie, Eric Garcia and Sergio Aguero are among the players to have signed for Barca as a free agent in recent years.

READ: Barcelona close to unlocking Gavi contract

Locadia to Camp Nou?

With Barcelona said to be in the market for a new attacker to provide depth and cover for the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati, they have reportedly sounded out Locadia is a possible replacement for Depay.

The Dutchman joined Brighton for €17m in January 2018 after an impressive spell in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven. However, he scored just six goals in 46 matches for the Seagulls, and struggled for game time once Graham Potter arrived from Swansea.

He then spent time on loan at Hoffenheim and Cincinnati before joining Bochum permanently in January 2022.