Barcelona could fast-track the signing Chelsea midfielder to January – report

Barcelona’s search for a new defensive midfielder has led them to Jorginho. The Chelsea star has emerged as a target for the Catalans giants, as they look to find a direct replacement for Sergio Busquets next season.

Busquets’ current deal at Camp Nou expires at the end of the season and there are no indications that he will continue beyond that. It has compelled Barça to scour the market for a new defensive midfielder, with Jorginho fitting the bill.

The Italian is currently plying his trade at Chelsea, but his current deal at Stamford Bridge also expires at the end of the season. It bodes well for a Barcelona side who are facing an economic crisis and are not in a position to spend a fortune on players.

However, AC Milan are also involved in the race to sign Jorginho. The Rossoneri are also in better financial shape and could attract Jorginho through Italy’s relatively less stringent tax schemes.

Barcelona, though, are not too keen on surrendering to Milan in pursuit of Jorginho. It was initially reported that Barça are poised to propose a pre-contract agreement to the midfielder in January, giving him the opportunity to join the club after the end of the season.

However, with Milan breathing down their necks, Barcelona are now considering the possibility of signing Jorginho in the January transfer window altogether, reports Diario SPORT.

The Blaugrana are aware of Chelsea’s precarious situation and know that the Premier League giants may have to cash in if the player refuses to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge. This could ultimately allow Barcelona to sign the Italian international on a cut-price deal in January.

Thanks to the economic levers used in the summer, the club still have the financial means to sanction the move, although, given the club’s other tasks in the market, it remains to be seen whether or not they can end up splurging on Jorginho after the turn of the year.

Whether Chelsea would be willing to sanction a sale midway through the campaign also remains a major question as they have qualified for the Champions League Round of 16 and have to make do without N’Golo Kante, who is a long-term absentee due to injury.

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