Barcelona forward emerges as a January transfer target for Atletico Madrid – report

Chelsea made headlines this week for their pursuit of Joao Felix. The Portuguese international is reportedly in on the verge of joining the Premier League giants on a loan deal.

Felix’s departure has understandably left Atletico Madrid searching the market for a direct replacement. They have already scouted multiple options in the market and as per Gianluigi Longari, one of the options that has emerged is Barcelona forward Memphis Depay.

The Italian journalist suggests Atletico Madrid are probing the possibility of signing the Barcelona attacker, who has been identified as a potential replacement for Felix.

The club like the Dutchman’s profile due to his experience at the highest level of football, coupled with his versatility.

Depay is indeed a versatile attacker, who is capable of operating both centrally and out wide. With 139 appearances in Ligue 1, along with 86 caps for the Dutch national team, the former Manchester United starlet offers an abundance of experience as well.

That is what makes Depay an excellent option for Atletico Madrid. Given the way the club have struggled in the attacking unit this season, the addition of the Barcelona forward could prove to be a solution for Diego Simeone’s men.

The Dutch international is not expected to cost a fortune either as his contract at Camp Nou expires at the end of the season.

But it remains to be seen whether the player himself is open to leaving the club in mid-season, especially with Atleti not offering the prospect of European football.

On top of that, reports have suggested that Depay desires to see out the remainder of his contract at Barça and leave as a free agent in the summer, so that he can land a lucrative financial package.

So, a January move to Atletico Madrid might seem unlikely as things stand.