Report: Xavi pushing Barcelona to sign Morata in January

Barcelona manager Xavi has made signing Alvaro Morata the club's top priority in the January transfer window, sources told Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens of ESPN.

Morata, 29, is currently on loan at Juventus from Atletico Madrid. The Spanish striker is willing to cut his spell in Turin short to facilitate a move back to La Liga, Marsden and Llorens add.

Barcelona reportedly have held discussions with all parties involved in the potential deal and would like to structure it as an initial loan with an option to make the signing permanent in the summer.

But the club's notorious financial situation complicates matters, especially after signing winger Ferran Torres earlier this week for a reported €55-million fee. Barca need to trim their squad before they can register Torres or any other new players because they have exceeded La Liga's salary cap.

The Catalan side would like to move Philippe Coutinho and Samuel Umtiti while evaluating offers for Sergino Dest, Marsden and Llorens report.

If the necessary sales are completed, Xavi will focus on strengthening an attack that registered just two goals in Barcelona's early exit in the Champions League group stage.

Morata, in his second stint with Juventus, has seven tallies in all competitions this campaign. He found the net 20 times last season.