Gab Marcotti explains what would need to happen for Barcelona to sign Alvaro Morata this January. ( 1:25 ) Barcelona have made Alvaro Morata their top target for January following the sign of Ferran Torres for €55 million, sources have confirmed to ESPN. Morata, 29, is on lend at Juventus from Atletico Madrid, but sources told ESPN he is fix to cut his arrest in Italy short with Barcelona head passenger car Xavi Hernandez pushing for his sign language. Barca have held initial discussions with all parties involved over a lend bargain with an option to make the motion permanent wave in the summer.

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– Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access however, the Catalan club ‘s fiscal site is complicating any potential deal as they are restricted by LaLiga ‘s €97 million spend limit. Until they are within that limit — which will not happen this season — they are only permitted to spend 25 % of what they recoup in transfer fees or save on engage reductions. After completing the sign of Torres from Manchester City sooner this workweek, Barca still need to lighten their police squad before being able to register him and any other new signings.

The loans of Yusuf Demir and Luuk de Jong are set to be cut inadequate, while the club remain capable to offers for Philippe Coutinho and Samuel Umtiti. Sources have told ESPN Barcelona will besides listen to interest for United States international Sergino Dest. Sources add that Barca are besides exploring other ways to increase what LaLiga permits them to spend and to allow them to register Torres. Xavi has made strengthening the attack a precedence since taking over. Barca managed good two goals in six Champions League matches as they exited the competition in the group stage and have been scouring the market for low-cost options. Edinson Cavani was a target but Manchester United ‘s reluctance to let the Uruguay international leave led them to Morata, who Xavi is a winnow of.

Barca have tried to sign the former Real Madrid hitter before. The Blaugrana unsuccessfully made a move for him in 2019 when Luis Suarez got injured. The Spain international is in his second while at Juve, having besides spend time in England with Chelsea. His loan at Juventus runs until the summer, while his sign at Atletico expires in 2023. He has scored seven goals in 23 appearances across all competitions for Juve this temper after ending the previous campaign with 20 goals in 44 matches .