Juventus intensify talks with Barcelona forward, could help in signing Morata

Serie A giants Juventus have intensified talks with Barcelona over a potential loan move for Memphis Depay which in one way will facilitate the possible signing of Alvaro Morata.

According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, although Juventus’ primary target is Zenit Saint Petersburg’s Sardar Azmoun, they will explore the option of getting Depay on loan after losing Federico Chiesa for the rest of the season owing to an ACL injury.

Chiesa, who is on loan from Fiorentina, has proved out to be a vital component of Massimiliano Allegri’s blueprint for the season, making 18 appearances across Serie A and Champions League while scoring four goals and assisting as many.

His absence for the rest of the campaign has forced the Turin-based club to explore a flexible profile and not particularly a winger.

If Barca are willing, Juventus will propose a loan offer for the Dutchman, who was offered to Juventus when the Catalan ignited their interest in Alvaro Morata. After Barcelona were hit by Sergio Aguero’s premature retirement, they approached Juventus while offering Memphis Depay as a makeweight to sign Alvaro Morata.

The Italian side, however, were quick in rejecting any kind of deal.

Morata is currently on a two-year loan from Atletico Madrid, which cost Juventus €10 million with an option for purchase at €45 million. With the Spaniard on Barça’s radar and Depay wanted in Turin, the two teams can well and truly work on the logistics with Atletico for a potential transfer.

Everything is not that simple though as Massimiliano Allegri is reluctant on losing Morata midway through the campaign. 

“Alvaro Morata is not leaving,” Allegri said earlier this month. “He is a performance footballer whose problem is that he is labelled incorrectly. He is very important. I spoke to him face-to-face and told him that he will not be leaving. Case closed.”

But with Depay coming back into the picture, Barcelona now have the leverage of dictating the terms.