Barcelona offer Balde in return for Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico

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Barcelona have been very active in this last week of the winter window and are looking to sign a full-back and a striker on loan, at least until the end of the season. With that said, the club is said to be looking at Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico as a cover on the right-flank and Juve’s Alvaro Morata.

Barcelona offer Balde in return for Tagliafico

As per the reliable Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, Barcelona have reportedly offered Alejandro Balde as Tagliafico’s replacement to Ajax, until the end of the season. The former La Liga champions are looking to sign the Argentine international on a short loan until the end of the season with an option to buy. It is unclear if the option would be mandatory or voluntary but the price to sign the 29-year-old is said to be around €6-8 million.

Barcelona are said to count on Balde for the future and thus it looks unlikely that they will insert a buy-option when it comes to the 18-year-old. Even if they do, one should not be surprised if they insert a buy-back clause as well. However, for now, the priority seems to Tagliafico and Balde’s possible departure could speed things up.

Galetti understands that Ajax are likely to accept this proposal as the player is said to be keen on a move to Barcelona. As per Fabrizio Romano, Tagliafico has been ‘pushing’ for his potential move to Barcelona since Saturday which is why the Los Cules could manage to sign the 29-year-old before the end of January.

Barcelona make Morata their number one target again

Barcelona currently have Memphis Depay, Martin Braithwaite, and Luuk de Jong. Depay has not been at his consistent best and has consequently fallen down the pecking order. Braithwaite on the other hand has just returned from his injury and it remains to be seen if he can cash in on the opportunities which could be handed to him. Luuk de Jong has come good for the Blaugrana, with 3 goals from his last 4 outings for Xavi’s side.

Morata is said to be a player that Xavi admires, particularly because he could fit in perfectly in his system. Morata is known for making good runs behind the backline and is an effective goal-scoring option in the air as well. Until now, Barcelona’s hopes of signing Morata largely depended on Juventus being able to find a replacement for him. The former Serie A champions are said to be close to finalizing personal terms with Dusan Vlahovic, after having agreed on a €75 million fee for the Serbian striker with Fiorentina. With Vlahovic set to complete his move to Turin, Morata could head back to Spain by the end of this month. It will be difficult for Barcelona though, with rivals Atletico Madrid not too keen on sending their loanee to reinforce direct rivals.

For Barcelona, time is of the essence as to facilitate the arrival of the former Real Madrid striker, they will first need to free up the wage bill.

Xavi believes that Morata could improve his team’s goal-scoring record this term and the player is also rumored to be ‘dreaming’ about Barca. And, as per Rude Galetti, Morata is already said to be in advanced talks with Barcelona.

There is a shadow of uncertainty in Barcelona’s pursuit of the 29-year-old and it would be interesting to see how he could potentially turn things around for Xavi and his men, having endured a hot-and-cold season.