LIVERPOOL are eyeing an audacious swap deal to land Barcelona star Memphis Depay, reports suggest.
Depay, 28, was extensively linked with the exit door at Barcelona over the summer.
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But with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang departing to join Chelsea instead, the Dutchman ended up staying at Barcelona to play second fiddle to Robert Lewandowski.
However, this has not quelled rumours about his future at the Camp Nou.
And the latest reports from Sport indicate there could be movement in the January window between him and Liverpool.
The Reds are said to be plotting a swap deal for Depay with cult hero Roberto Firmino.
Firmino, 30, has been a loyal servant to Liverpool since his transfer to them back in 2015, scoring 101 goals and registering 77 assists.
With less than a year left on his current deal though, Liverpool are keen to try and move him on from Anfield.
He has fallen down the pecking order in Jurgen Klopp’s squad with the arrival of Darwin Nunez and already present stars such as Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.
Both Depay and Firmino share a similar player profile, and a swap deal in January could benefit all parties – as opposed to both clubs losing their respective players for nothing next summer.
Of course, Depay’s history as a former Manchester United player could mean his welcome from the crowd is less than warm.
Firmino stepped in the starting xi brilliantly earlier this season when he played against relegation favourites Bournemouth, scoring twice and adding three assists.
He then scored the equaliser one week later against Newcastle at Anfield.
Depay has enjoyed goalscoring form from his rare starts, scoring in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Elche, albeit with his starting position that game coming off the left wing.
Elsewhere, Liverpool have also been eyeing up midfield reinforcements, with Jude Bellingham and Mosies Caicedo earmarked as their first choice transfer targets to rejuvenate their midfield.
