Barcelona reject chance to sign Atletico Madrid striker in €35 million loan-to-buy deal – report

The January transfer window is less than a day away, and things are picking up steam at Barcelona. The Catalans have already gotten their first signing of the winter window over the line, with Ferran Torres joining from Manchester City.

However, there are likely to be one or two more incomings at Camp Nou over the next month, especially after the development surrounding Ousmane Dembele and his contract situation.

Xavi Hernandez & co. will likely be forced into the transfer market for a new forward after the Frenchman’s decision to snub the contract proposal from the club. And, it seems like Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata has become a topic of interest for the Catalans.

Currently on loan at Juventus, the Spaniard has not had the most memorable of seasons so far. Nonetheless, Xavi is believed to have identified the ex-Real Madrid ace as a transfer target for January, with reports even claiming that an agreement between the club and the player is already in place.

However, a fresh update from Gianluca Di Marzio has refuted those claims, although the Italian journalist does insist that the Blaugrana are keen on signing Morata in January.

As per the report from Di Marzio, Atletico Madrid are open to doing a deal with Barcelona for the Spanish international. The reigning La Liga champions want the Catalans to sign the centre-forward on loan for the rest of the season with an obligation to make his signing permanent in the summer for a fee of €35 million.

However, this proposal has been shot down by Barça, even though they continue to remain in talks with the Colchoneros over a possible transfer next month. The report also indicates that the club are willing to offer Memphis Depay to Juventus as a replacement for Morata, but the Bianconeri are not sold over the idea.

Nonetheless, Morata is believed to be enticed by the possibility of a move to Camp Nou, despite having played for Barça’s arch-rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the past.

His agent is exploring the possibility of a deal as things stand, although, according to reports from Gerard Romero, there could be some resistance from Diego Simeone over strengthening a direct rival.