With the January transfer window just days away, the weird and wonderful rumours and enquiries are starting to occur, and one of the first major stories has already emerged.
Barcelona were handed a major blow as Sergio Aguero retired early from the game due to medical reasons, and the Catalan side announced the signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City as a result to kick off their 2022.
However, it appears that they are not done there, and they've even approached Juventus while offering Memphis Depay as a makeweight.
The Italian side have rejected the sensational approach, leaving Barcelona to look elsewhere.
Have Your Say! Would you accept Barcelona's approach and sign Depay? Comment here.
Depay was signed by Barcelona this summer, but despite a respectable goal scoring return so far, it appears that new boss Xavi Hernandez is happy to let him go in order to sign Spaniard Alvaro Morata.
Morata is on loan at Juventus from Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona have offered their summer signing in return for the Spanish striker, although this approach has been rejected by Massimiliano Allegri.
How is this possible with a loan player you may ask? Morata is on a two-year loan from Atletico which cost the Italian giants £16.75m, with the option to purchase the striker in June 2022 for a further £30m.
With Morata wanted by Barcelona, and the striker very much happy to go, if the two sides can find a suitable swap deal while organising the logistics with Atletico, then a transfer could be on the cards.
The one issue though is that it is Barcelona that are desperate for the deal, and according to Football Italia, Allegri has rejected their approach as he is unconvinced by Depay, and would prefer a natural centre-forward.
Barcelona do not currently have that centre-forward that Juventus may be looking for, which will come as a huge blow for both Morata and Xavi.
The report claims that Allegeri is looking for more of a classic striker and is unconvinced by Depay’s recent form and injury record, putting a halt to proceedings.
Morata hasn't worked out as expected at Juventus, and the Spaniard has only scored seven goals in 23 matches for the Old Lady, and the Italian giants remain one of the lowest scoring sides in the Serie A.
Juventus have suffered heavily in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Turin this summer, but Barcelona are experiecing a similar loss with their striking power significantly reduced as Luis Suarez left last season, before Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi left the club in quick succession.
Another potential alternative for both sides is Arsenal outcast Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang following his mass fall out with Mikel Arteta
But he is not ideal either because his salary is not only considered far too high, but he’ll be involved in the Africa Cup of Nations next month.
