Xavi desperate for Barca to sign former Real Madrid star
Martin Macdonald
- 30 Dec 2021 10:14 GMT
- 3 min read
Barcelona, despite their financial problems, have already completed the €65 million purchase of Ferran Torres, with the player set to move from Manchester City in the January transfer window.
However, Xavi is desperate for more reinforcements, particularly in the attacking area of the pitch.
That is why, according to Spanish outlet AS, he has asked Barcelona to enquire about the availability of former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, who is currently with Juventus in Serie A.
Morata has emerged as Barca's number one target to fill the centre-forward role at Camp Nou, as although Torres can play in that position, he is viewed more as a wide forward at the club, potentially as a replacement for Ousmane Dembele.
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Following the departures of Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi in the summer, Barca are short in the final third, with only Martin Braithwaite, Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay capable of playing as centre-forward in the squad currently.
The club are actively looking to move Braithwaite and De Jong on.
Barcelona believe Morata would be an ideal acquisition in January as his integration into the squad would be relatively simple due to the player having international team-mates such as Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Pedri and Ansu Fati already at Camp Nou.
He has established a link with Torres at international level, too.
How has Morata performed this season?
Morata has been thrust into the role of Juventus' main man up front following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United.
Unfortunately for the Spaniard he, along with the entire Juventus squad, has underperformed in 2021/22.
In 18 starts in all competitions this season, he has scored just seven goals.
Morata is never far away from criticism in Italy, even from Juventus fans.
The report from AS indicates that Morata is unhappy in Turin and would be open to a move to Barca.
How can Barcelona afford Morata?
There are still question marks as to how Barcelona are affording Torres, but any deal for Morata appears to be a bit more simple.
Morata is on loan at Juventus from Atletico Madrid, while the Bianconeri have the option to purchase him permanently in 2022.
But, that deal is looking unlikely, so it is possible that Atletico could recall Morata from Juventus and attempt to loan him out again to Barcelona if an additional permanent clause can be incorporated into any deal with the Blaugrana.
Atletico are already set to agree the €40m transfer of Griezmann in the summer, so Barca will use that money to partly fund any deal for Morata.
