Atletico Madrid have lined up Barcelona Memphis Depay as they look to find cover with Joao Felix on the verge of joining Chelsea on loan.
23-year-old forward Felix is set to make the switch to Stamford Bridge and the Premier League for the remainder of the season in deal that will cost Graham Potter’s side around £16m, including a £10m loan fee.
Having fallen out with Diego Simeone, his future at the Wanda Metropolitano is up in the air and will likely depend on the future of Simeone himself amid speculation that this could be his final season with the Rojablanca.
For the immediate future, however, the Spanish side will have to find a solution to tide them over for the rest of the season, and have identified 28-year-old Depay as the man to solve their frontline issues.
The Dutchman is not one of those reported to be available this winter, with three other Blaugrana forwards thought to be on the market. Meanwhile, Xavi is keen to keep his squad as intact as possible through the transfer window.
“I have spoken with Jordi and Mateu and the club and I have made it clear to them that I am happy with what I have in the squad and that if nothing is touched I will be delighted because we are working very well”, the Barca boss explained.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, however, talks for Depay will take place this week, with Atletico ‘confident’ that personal terms will not be a problem, though discussions with Barca may be more tricky.
The two clubs currently sit 14 points apart in La Liga, with Xavi’s side top of the Spanish top flight while Atletico a point outside a Champions League spot.
