Barcelona eye Andre Silva as alternative to Memphis Depay

Barcelona could move for Eintracht Frankfurt sensation Andre Silva this summer, if a proposed deal for Memphis Depay doesn't come off.

With their finances dramatically depleted by the coronavirus pandemic, Ronald Koeman's team are looking to do deals on the cheap this summer. New president Joan Laporta is understood to see value in the free transfer market, and pre-contract deals for Eric Garcia, Georginio Wijnaldum and Depay are all in the works.

That being the case, a move for Silva doesn't quite add up. The 25-year-old has been on a tear this season, scoring 22 goals in 26 appearances for Frankfurt, who signed him for just €3m in September (seriously, how do they keep doing that?).

The print edition of Bild (via A BOLA) say that Barca are closely monitoring the former Milan and Porto striker, though they do acknowledge his price tag is a pretty serious road bump. Frankfurt are said to be looking for €40m (just short of £35m) for his services.

While that's not stratospheric, and probably within Barca's price range if they can offload a player or two, they still see Depay as their man. Koeman's interest in his countryman has been one of Spanish football's worst kept secrets, and the player himself has done all he can to make a move happen.

The Catalan club wanted him in the summer, and were thought to be close to landing him in January, but Lyon stood firm and have been repaid for that with some impressive form.

With his contract expiring in the summer, though, it looks like the versatile forward is about to be granted his wish.

But it's not all plain sailing. Reports of interest in Silva stem from a few doubts that have emerged over how far along negotiations with Depay are. Catalan outlet SPORT recently poured cold water over claims that deals for the Lyon man and international team-mate Georginio Wijnaldum are done.

With a particular focus on the latter, they say that any incoming deals, even on free transfers, will rely on outgoings first. Miralem Pjanic is among those on the chopping block as they look to free up space on the wage bill, and this has delayed negotiations with their two primary targets.

The general feeling, though, seems to be that both Wijnaldum and Depay want to eventually join Barca, and are prepared to give them time to adjust the books and make room for them in the squad.