Barcelona are closing in on the capture of Olympique Lyon star Memphis Depay and a €40 million transfer could be on the cards.
According to Algemeen Dagblad, as relayed by Team Talk, Barcelona have moved one step closer in their pursuit of Memphis Depay. They have agreed a deal worth around €40 million with Lyon and the Dutchman could become the next signing for the Spanish giants.
Dutch players have already become a subject of discussion in Catalonia following the appointment of Ronald Koeman. The former Netherlands national team coach has set his sights on several compatriots, with Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum being another player Barcelona are keeping a close eye on.
However, it is Depay who has caught the most attention, following his impressive displays in the UEFA Champions League. After returning from a long injury lay-off, the former Manchester United man was indeed a key component for Lyon in an excellent campaign that saw them reach the semi-finals of the coveted competition.
Barcelona have been recently boosted by the fact that Lionel Messi will remain at the club next season. But that won’t deter them from looking for new blood in the attacking department as the club looks to move on from old guards like Messi himself, as well as Luis Suarez.
Even the younger individuals like Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho have all failed to make an impact in Catalonia. And while it has allowed Ansu Fati to earn a more prominent role in the first-team, there is no doubt that Barcelona need a quality forward this summer.
Depay could be an ideal target given his experience at the highest level of football, including in the Premier League with Manchester United. The Dutchman has enjoyed immense success in France while winning 51 caps for the national team.
His versatility, in particular, could aid Barcelona as the 26-year-old can not only play as a left winger but also as a centre forward. Not to mention, the ex-Manchester United forward has a fantastic relationship with Koeman as they had often worked together for the national team. It could play a key role in helping Depay settle in quickly at Camp Nou.
In the meantime, Barcelona must quickly make their transfer decision of Coutinho. He still faces an uncertain future at Camp Nou despite a promising end to an otherwise dire loan spell at Bayern Munich. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Brazilian international this summer.
