Barcelona Boss Xavi Targets Juventus Striker In January Loan Move

Barcelona head coach Xavi is keen to sign Alvaro Morata in the January transfer window, according to reports in Spain.

Barcelona are currently without a traditional number nine after Sergio Aguero was forced to retire midway through the season due to a heart condition.

The Catalan club recently signed versatile forward Ferran Torres in a £55m move from Manchester City.

Morata is currently on loan at Juventus from Atletico Madrid (Image: Alamy)

However, Xavi remains keen to sign a traditional centre-forward which would allow the likes of Torres, Ansu Fati and Memphis Depay to play in wider areas.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Xavi has made contact with Spain international Morata, who is currently on loan at Juventus from Atletico Madrid.

Morata is reportedly unhappy in his second spell in Turin and is said to prefer a return to Spain in January, with an initial six-month loan move to Barcelona a possibility.

According to the report, Xavi has told Morata he views him as a long-term solution to Barcelona’s problems up front and would be keen to sign the striker on a permanent deal at the end of the season.

Morata is said to be unhappy in Turin and is seeking a move back to Spain (Image: Alamy)

Juventus are said to be aware of Barcelona’s interest in Morata and have already identified Marseille’s Arkadiusz Milik and Sassuolo’s Gianluca Scamacca as potential replacements.

Barcelona would reportedly need to pay Atletico around €40m (£33.5m) if they want to sign Morata in the summer, when he would have just one year left on his deal at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Meanwhile, the 29-year-old would likely need to take a pay cut to join Barcelona on loan in January, as the Nou Camp club battles to stay within La Liga’s salary cap rules.

Barcelona would need to spend around €40m to sign Morata on a permanent deal from Atletico Madrid

Speaking earlier this month, Xavi suggested Barcelona are working on a number of targets for January.

"We're working on it, that's the reality,” he said.

"The team always has to improve and we're alert to the market. We're talking a lot. We had a productive meeting on Thursday.

"I was clear on what I want and what I need."

Barcelona are currently seventh in La Liga after a hugely disappointing first half of the season.

Xavi’s side return to action after the winter break against Mallorca on Sunday.

Topics: Barcelona, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Transfers, Football, Xavi, Alvaro Morata, La Liga, Serie A

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan