Barcelona ask for Atletico Madrid winger in Memphis Depay deal, Xavi approves the move

As the transfer saga involving Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Memphis Depay continues to evolve and take new twists and turns, a report from SPORT has come out with a fresh update on the matter.

As per the report, Barcelona have asked for Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco to be included as part of the deal that would see Depay move the other way.

Atleti have been pushing for a move to sign the 28-year-old forward as a replacement for Joao Felix, who left for Chelsea on loan earlier this week. While it looked like the Rojiblancos will succeed in their bid to land the Dutchman, talks over a move hit a roadblock recently.

Barça do not intend to let go of Depay without signing a replacement first. Furthermore, reports suggested that the Catalans were uninterested in selling the Netherlands ace to a direct rival. They had, to that end, rejected a swap deal involving Thomas Lemar.

However, there seems to have been a change in stance as Barcelona would now be open to working on a deal with Atletico Madrid as long as the Colchoneros would give them Carrasco in return as part of the Depay operation.

The report adds that manager Xavi Hernandez has given his seal of approval for the deal and would welcome the incorporation of the Belgian international at Camp Nou.

Barcelona director Mateu Alemany is said to be driving the negotiations and the Catalans are intent that any deal that would see Depay move to Atletico Madrid would be done on their terms.

Carrasco’s potential signing is approved by the sports department and manager Xavi as well, although the exact logistics of how the operation would go ahead is still unclear.

What remains to be seen is whether Atletico Madrid are now willing to play ball and go ahead with a swap deal involving Carrasco and Depay.