Xavi keen to bring Morata to Barcelona

Xavi Hernandez wants to make Juventus' on-loan forward Alvaro Morata his next signing at Barcelona.

Having already snapped up Ferran Torres from Manchester City, Xavi now wants Morata to become the reference point for his new side, which continues to take promising shape.

Xavi knows it won't be an easy task recruiting the 29-year-old, but he is determined to land his man, who he feels can help his ailing team recover their position as challengers for LaLiga Santander and also the Europa League.

Morata is understood to be considering the proposal, but he knows that there remains a lot of discourse to be had between parent club Atletico Madrid, his current loan home Juve, and possible new club Barcelona.

Given their still perilous financial position, Barcelona need to sell before they can buy and there are a few options on the table - such as Samuel Umtiti and Philippe Coutinho - who would make the necessary headroom on the wage bill.

It was Xavi himself who made the first move towards Morata, but there has been contact in the past with ex-Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who was keen on the Real Madrid academy graduate.

Juventus' situation

Juventus themselves are in a delicate financial situation but may still be considering buying Morata outright.

Without him they would need to fill a hole in their forward line, with names such as Arkadiusz Milik and Mauro Icardi names mooted.

Much will depend on whether Juve manage to hire a new sporting director, who would sign off on these decisions.

Griezmann

The Morata deal is more complex because of Atleti being in the mix, who may be less willing to sell to a direct domestic rival.

But there is also the component of Antoine Griezmann, who Atleti re-signed from Barcelona last summer but who they still haven't fully paid for.

Morata's departure could in theory offset some of the cash they need to send out the door.

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