Barcelona are reportedly weighing up the prospect of signing 28-year-old Paris Saint-Germain striker Mauro Icardi if they cannot land Alvaro Morata.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Barcelona could launch the offensive for Mauro Icardi in the ongoing transfer window if they fail to secure the services of Alvaro Morata. The 28-year-old striker has been offered to Barcelona by Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Mauro Icardi was once widely regarded as one of the best strikers in Europe when he was going from strength to strength at Inter Milan. But his stock has been on the wane in the last few years, first leaving Inter Milan after being stripped of club captaincy midway through the 2018/19 season before becoming a rotation option at Paris Saint-Germain.
The 28-year-old had a reasonably productive debut season at PSG but has not produced the goods in the last 18 months. And Icardi has reached his lowest ebb at the Ligue 1 club this term, mustering just five goals in 20 appearances across all competitions. His inconsistent performances have forced the French giants to consider offloading him, with Barcelona a possible destination.
Icardi spent some of his formative years at Barcelona before joining Sampdoria in 2011. The Catalan giants have now been offered the chance to re-sign the Argentine forward this month at a time when they desperately need to add a striker to their squad.
Sergio Aguero’s premature retirement has left Xavi Hernandez short of reliable options to spearhead the Barcelona attack. Martin Braithwaite and Luuk de Jong are the only recognised strikers at Xavi’s disposal, with neither player inspiring much confidence in their ability to influence the proceedings consistently.
The La Liga heavyweights thus need to bolster their attack this month by signing a striker, with Alvaro Morata reportedly being their priority target. Recent reports have also indicated that Morata and Barcelona have already agreed personal terms. However, Massimiliano Allegri’s recent comments suggesting a stay at the Allianz Stadium for Morata has hampered Barcelona’s hopes of signing him.
That is why Barcelona could consider taking up the offer of signing Icardi this month as a move for Morata might fail to materialise. The 28-year-old is keen on leaving PSG this month, and a return to Barcelona might be on the horizon for him.
