Still fixing their financial issues, Barcelona cannot entirely explore the transfer market like last summer. They have already sold a chunk of their assets in the form of levers, and attempting that again could land them in serious long-term problems.
As such, the Catalans will look to sign players through Bosman or swap deals. They already have the likes of Youssoufa Moukoko, Inigo Martinez, and Jorginho, among others on their radar as part of the former plan.
As for the latter, fans have only recently started to see rumours of possible deals hitting the fore. Memphis Depay is the leading candidate to leave Barcelona this January in the form of a swap deal.
One of the players linked is Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic, with Barça trying to send Franck Kessie the other way. The two clubs were also in talks for a Memphis-Joaquin Correa exchange, but that has not quite worked.
MARCA brings to light another barter being discussed between the clubs — Memphis in exchange for Brozovic. Xavi has also given his green light for this operation.
The Dutchman’s departure has been in the works for a while, but he had previously ruled out an exit in the winter. The forward wanted to leave on a free transfer so as to negotiate his own transfer, including a possibly hefty bonus.
However, seeing that his minutes have been reduced to almost nothing, Memphis has agreed to leave in January. Atletico Madrid were in talks with him for a while, with the player open to the switch, too.
The Colchoneros want the Dutchman to serve as Joao Felix’s replacement but do not want to pay cash for him. A swap involving Thomas Lemar or Yannick Carrasco was discussed but eventually ruled out by Barcelona and Atleti respectively.
That said, Inter have the upper hand over Atletico for Memphis as it stands. Their participation in the Champions League means the Dutchman would likely prefer them over the Spanish rivals, who were knocked out in the group stages.
Either way, Barcelona and Inter could progress on the Memphis-Brozovic negotiations in the coming days, especially after meeting Xavi’s approval on the deal. The Croatian would be seen as a short-term replacement for club captain Sergio Busquets and the operation could end up being fruitful for the club.
