Barcelona have reportedly been provided with the chance to sign Jesse Lingard during the January transfer window.
Sitting seven points adrift of Real Madrid and Girona in Spain's top flight, the Catalan giants would ideally enter the market to strengthen their squad.
While they may take that approach, their well-documented financial problems means that many of the players linked with a switch to the La Liga outfit are currently unaffordable.
Although the acquisition of Vitor Roque will improve their options in attack, Xavi has lost the services of the injured Gavi for the remainder of the campaign.
As such, it means that the numbers that Xavi has at his disposal have not changed, and it will take some negotiating and compromises for further leeway to be established with regards to FFP.
In theory, a free agent who is prepared to accept a small wage is Barcelona's best bet, yet at the midway point of 2023-24, such options are few and far between.
Nevertheless, according to Sport, Barcelona have been informed that they are free to enter negotiations with Lingard should they so wish.
The former England international has been without a club since being released by Nottingham Forest at the end of his one-year contract.
Upon his arrival, it was claimed that the playmaker was on £100,000 per week at the City Ground, yet he failed to contributed a goal or assist in the Premier League in 17 appearances.
Since then, Lingard has trained for a number of weeks with West Ham United, as well as being linked with teams competing in the Saudi Pro League.
However, having spent time training in Dubai, it is suggested that Lingard and his representatives have informed Barcelona of their interest in discussing a transfer.
The report claims that any deal would cost just €2m (£1.7m) on the books, something that may be achievable depending on other business that materialises during the month.
While Barcelona are not necessarily short of creative players, only Robert Lewandowski has scored more than four strikes in La Liga, while Raphinha has supplied the most assists with five. body check tags ::
