Barcelona and Liverpool are reportedly discussing a swap deal involving experienced attackers Memphis Depay and Roberto Firmino.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona will look to sign Roberto Firmino in the January transfer window. The Catalan giants want to secure the services of the experienced Liverpool attacker in a swap deal, offering Memphis Depay to the Merseyside club.
Roberto Firmino was the first piece of the puzzle in the Liverpool juggernaut that has come leaps and bounds under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp. The Brazilian international joined the Reds from Hoffenheim seven years ago and has established a lasting legacy at Anfield since then.
The 30-year-old has started the 2022/23 season strongly, chipping in with three goals and three assists in eight appearances across all competitions thus far. But Firmino is in the final year of his contract with Liverpool, with his situation capturing the attention of Barcelona.
The interest from Barcelona likely stems from the decision to sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea on deadline day in the summer transfer window. Aubameyang’s departure, coupled with Martin Braithwaite’s exit from the Spotify Camp Nou as a free agent, has left Xavi Hernandez with Robert Lewandowski as the only recognised striker at his disposal.
While Memphis Depay can play as a central striker, he is best used on the left flank. In addition, the experienced Dutch attacker does not feature in Xavi’s long-term plans, and Barcelona even tried to cash in on him in the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants might have finally identified the best way to offload Depay after initiating talks with Liverpool over a swap deal involving Firmino.
In Firmino, Barcelona will get a player who revels in the 4-3-3 formation and will bring something new to the table. Meanwhile, Liverpool will get a versatile attacker who fits Klopp’s system at Anfield. But Depay’s past stint with Manchester United might complicate matters.
Meanwhile, Barcelona might face stiff competition from La Liga rival Atletico Madrid for Firmino, with Los Rojiblancos keen on signing the Liverpool attacker. So it will be interesting to see how discussions between Barcelona and Liverpool progress over the swap deal involving Depay and Firmino.