Barcelona looking at youth prospect as in-house Depay replacement, Xavi likes the player

Memphis Depay’s transfer to Atletico Madrid has left a vacant spot in the attacking ranks at Barcelona, which the club are looking to fill. But the situation is made difficult by the club’s issues with Financial Fair Play.

While Xavi Hernandez has insisted that he is happy with the options at his disposal, it has been suggested that the manager continues to bet on the idea of the club signing someone before the window closes.

However, any move would be dictated by the Fair Play margin that Barça have gained from Depay’s sale and they are waiting on a response from La Liga on the same.

At the same time, though, Barcelona seem to have come across an in-house replacement for Depay in the form of Angel Alarcon.

Indeed, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, the Blaugrana are looking at the 18-year-old forward as a possible option to fill the vacant spot left behind by Memphis’ departure to Atletico Madrid.

It is claimed that manager Xavi likes the player a lot and the sporting department at the club sees a long and bright future for the teenage forward at the club.

Alarcon’s contract with Barcelona expires at the end of the season and the Catalans have already started negotiating a renewal, with Xavi giving his approval for the same.

The 18-year-old, who currently plays for Barça’s Juvenil A side, made his senior debut against AD Ceuta earlier this week and could be given minutes in tomorrow’s clash against Getafe, with Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres ruled out because of suspensions.

Should the youngster make the most of his chances, Barça could decide to count on him to take Depay’s spot, while utilising the Fair Play margin to register the new contracts of Gavi and Ronald Araujo.