BARCELONA are reportedly considering a move for Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose to replace outgoing Luis Suarez.
Sport reports the Catalan giants have identified Jose as an alternative to previous targets Lautaro Martinez and Memphis Depay.
Willian Jose could move from Real Sociedad to Barcelona to replace Luis Suarez
New Barca boss Ronald Koeman is thought to have sensationally axed Uruguayan striker Suarez in a brutal one-minute phone call.
And the 33-year-old was in tears leaving the club’s training ground for the ‘last time’ on Wednesday.
He is expected to complete a move to LaLiga rivals Atletico Madrid – where he could be joined by compatriot and free agent Edinson Cavani.
After six years at the Nou Camp, Suarez departs as the club’s third highest goalscorer of all time with 198 strikes in 283 appearances.
The search to replace him and find a new No9 has proved tricky for Barca chiefs.
Their No1 target was Inter Milan’s Martinez, 23, but the club balked at the Serie A side’s £83million asking price.
A potential deal got messy and complicated after reports El Clasico rivals Real Madrid had also launched a bid.
Koeman and Barca then turned their attention to former Manchester United flop Memphis Depay.
Lautaro Martinez looks set to remain an Inter Milan playerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ronald Koeman and Memphis Depay worked closely together with HollandCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The manager and Lyon star Depay worked together with Holland and the 26-year-old was seen as a cheaper alternative until Koeman last week confirmed no deal was in place.
But now a third name is in the mix, Sociedad’s Brazilian Jose who first interested Barca in January.
The 28-year-old bagged 11 goals and an assist in 37 league appearances last term but has a hefty release clause of £64m.
The report states, however, that cash-strapped Barca could snare their man for as little as £28m with Sociedad prepared to come down.
Barca’s sporting director Ramon Planes is believed to be behind the move as he is a big fan of the forward.
Jose missed the opening game of this season’s LaLiga campaign after testing positive for Covid-19 and only this week returned to training.
Luis Suarez breaks down in tears while leaving Barcelona training for ‘last time’ as Atletico transfer ‘confirmed’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
