Reports in Italy suggest Memphis Depay prefers Atletico Madrid to Inter, while a swap deal involving Marcelo Brozovic and Franck Kessié is still on the cards.
Depay’s lawyer Sebastien Ledure has ruled out negotiations with Inter because, according to Sky Sport and Gazzetta, the Dutch striker prefers a transfer to Atletico Madrid.
On the one hand, Barcelona don’t want to see Depay leave at the end of his contract in June, but on the other hand, they don’t want to send him to a direct rival in Spain in January. For this reason, they still hope Depay will consider a move to the Stadio Meazza, even if Xavi is not interested in swapping the ex-Manchester United forward with Joaquin Correa.
The potential swap deal involving Brozovic and Kessie is being considered by both clubs. Gazzetta explains the Nerazzurri need a big sale to balance the books and would send the Croat to Camp Nou if he’s valued more than Kessie.
The ex-Milan midfielder joined the Catalans on a free transfer in June but is not a regular starter in Barcelona. Brozovic has often been injured this season and Simone Inzaghi coped without him by playing Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Therefore, Inter would be happy to sign a ‘physical’ central midfielder while Barcelona need a replacement for Sergi Busquets. Technically, the swap deal could satisfy both clubs, but Inter and Barça need to work on their finances, bearing in mind that Kessie and Brozovic earn €6.5m per season, but the Ivory Coast international’s deal comes with a €1m bonus.