Barcelona are seriously considering the signing of free agent Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid this summer, report El Mundo Deportivo.
The 33-year-old is out of contract at the Wanda Metropolitano this summer and the Catalan giants are eyeing a move on a free transfer.
The report claims the experienced Brazilian defender would provide the immediate competition for long-serving Barca full-back Jordi Alba.
Upcoming left-back Juan Miranda, 18, is viewed by the club as a player for the future but such a deal would likely limit his first-team opportunities in the near future.
This is the second defender that Atletico Madrid could part with as Inter’s general manager Beppe Marotta has stated the club are hopeful of being able to soon make the signing of Diego Godin ‘official’.
A report in Cadena Ser claims the Uruguayan defender will join the Nerazzurri on a two-year deal with the option of a third, worth an annual wage of €5.5m.
The 32-year-old is still regarded as one of the world’s elite central defenders and also has long-standing interest from Juventus and Manchester United.
“I’m delighted for him and his goal (in the Champions League win against Juventus on Wednesday),” Marotta told Sky Italia.
“I can’t go into too much detail regarding the negotiations, but I’d say we’re at an advanced stage and this makes me optimistic. I think it can be made official quite soon.”
Atleti’s policy is not to offer contracts of over one year in length to any player over the age of 30.
Los Rojiblancos are also currently at their salary budget for wage offerings, meaning a new deal is unlikely to be sanctioned until players depart the first-team squad.
Godin is one of three experienced defenders out of contract at the Wanda Metropolitano this summer, alongside Filipe Luis and Juanfran.