Barcelona will reportedly entertain offers for 24-year-old defender Junior Firpo, who is a January transfer target for Serie A leaders AC Milan.
According to a report from ESPN, Serie A heavyweights AC Milan have approached Barcelona over the possibility of signing left-back Junior Firpo in the ongoing transfer window. And the Catalans are open to sanctioning an exit for the 24-year-old.
Firpo arrived at Barcelona from fellow La Liga outfit Real Betis in the summer of 2019. However, the full-back hasn’t been able to make the kind of impact that was expected after a breakout 2018/19 campaign. The ex-Real Betis man has struggled to challenge Jordi Alba for the starting berth and has found game-time hard to come by.
Indeed, in the ongoing campaign, Firpo has featured just four times in La Liga, with only one of those coming from the start. The 24-year-old is understood to be keen on leaving the club in order to play regularly. And contrary to reports earlier this month, Barcelona are open to offers for the full-back.
This has piqued the interest of AC Milan, who have sounded out the Catalan giants over a potential transfer before the ongoing transfer window shuts. The Rossoneri, who have enjoyed a fine 2020/21 campaign thus far, lack requisite depth in the left-back area.
Beyond first-choice Theo Hernandez, Stefano Pioli does not have any reliable option and had to field on-loan right-back Diogo Dalot on the left side in their most recent fixture. That is something that Milan are hoping to address this month, while also trying to bring in a new centre-back in the form of Chelsea youngster Fikayo Tomori.
This has led Milan to Barcelona and Firpo and the Serie A leaders have enquired about the 24-year-old. However, Milan are only looking to sign the left-back on a loan deal. The Blaugrana, meanwhile, would prefer an outright sale, as they look to generate some cashflow amidst a financial crisis at the club.
Along with AC Milan, Premier League side West Ham United are also interested in Firpo. And unlike the Rossoneri, David Moyes’ side would also be willing to purchase him as well. However, the lack of guaranteed first-team spot at the London Stadium would be a hurdle in any deal going through.
Barcelona, for their part, are already drawing up plans to reinforce the left side of their defence, with Valencia’s Jose Gaya touted to be a target. However, any move will have to wait till the summer as the Catalans are not in a position to make any signings this month, owing to the presidential elections.
As far as Firpo is considered, it remains to be seen if the interest from Milan leads to him securing a move away from Camp Nou in the coming days.