Barcelona and Inter Milan could advance with midfielder swap after Italian Super Cup

Entering into the January transfer window, it felt like Barcelona would be dormant during the winter due to their financial issues. However, fifteen days into 2023, the Catalans seem to be working on multiple operations that they hope to close in the coming weeks.

One such deal that is being considered by Barça involves swapping summer signing Franck Kessie for Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic.

And according to Gerard Romero, the operation involving the direct exchange of the two midfielders could advance once the Italian Super Cup is out of the way.

The Supercoppa Italiana clash will be played on Wednesday night between AC Milan and Inter Milan at the King Fahd International Stadium, the same venue where Barcelona defeated Real Madrid to win the Supercopa de Espana last night.

Once that tournament is done and the Nerazzurri return to Italy, talks over a swap involving Kessie and Brozovic are expected to continue, and a resolution could be in sight.

Kessie arrived at Barça this past summer, signing from Inter’s rivals, AC Milan, on a Bosman transfer. However, the Ivorian has found the going tough in Catalonia, having failed to adapt to Xavi’s system and philosophy yet.

With the likes of Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong performing at an exceptionally high level, game-time has been hard to come by for Kessie. And Barça are seemingly open to trade him for Brozovic, who is seen as an effective short-term replacement for Sergio Busquets.

The 30-year-old Croatian is a vital part of the Nerazzurri setup but has been hit by injuries this season which has somewhat reduced his prominence.

Both midfielders are said to be on a similar salary of around €6 million per year and any deal, if it goes through, would be a direct swap without any cash involved, an operation that could benefit both parties.

Things could pick up pace once Inter return from their Italian Super Cup assignment in Saudi Arabia.