Barcelona
coach Ernesto Valverde refused to be drawn on the prospect of trying to sign
out-of-sorts Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata following the departure of Munir
El Haddadi.
Morata was a club-record £70m signing from Real Madrid in 2017, but the
26-year-old has suffered from a loss of form this season and has only
managed five Premier League goals this term.
Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri fuelled speculation Morata could be set to
depart Stamford Bridge when he told reporters on Friday: "If Morata will go
to another club we will need a replacement."
Valverde was coy on Barcelona's reported interest in the Spain international
when he was asked directly about Morata ahead of Sunday's visit of Eibar.
"I can only say the same thing," Valverde said. "That he's a great player,
that he's at another team and that we respect that a lot."
With Luis Suarez as the club's only recognised striker, Barcelona are in the
market for reinforcements following Munir's cut-price departure to Sevilla
on Friday.
"We have to look at it, it's clear that after Munir's departure we have a
space," Valverde added.
"We'll see if we can sign a player, although we have to take into account
the club's economic conditions. We will see if we can, if someone comes."
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