Barcelona forward Memphis Depay could be on his way out in the summer, with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus interested in his services.
According to SPORT, Memphis Depay could be on his way out of Barcelona just a year after joining, with interest coming from Italian giants AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus.
Memphis Depay made his way to Barcelona in the summer transfer window last year, arriving on a free transfer after running down his contract with Olympique Lyon. While the 28-year-old made a positive start to life in Catalonia, his form was soon on the decline before the Dutchman picked up an injury in December. He has eight goals and two assists from 23 games for the La Liga giants.
Yet to return to action from the injury, Depay has seen himself drop a few rungs down the pecking order as Barcelona brought in three new forwards in the January window in Ferran Torres, Adama Traore and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. In addition to that, the emergence of B team prospects like Ez Abde and Ferran Jutgla means that the Blaugrana have enough depth in the attacking unit.
Given the situation, Depay, who was believed to be unhappy after Ronald Koeman’s sacking, is now assessing his options and could consider moving on at the end of the season, should his situation not change between now and the end of the season. And, three big clubs from Italy are open to signing him, with AC Milan, Inter and Juventus all in the running.
Memphis Depay knows that the signings of Ferran Torres, Adama, & Aubameyang will leave him on the bench. Milan, Inter, and Juve are all interested. The decision will be made at the end of the season, but everything indicates that he will leave. #FCB [SPORT] pic.twitter.com/B2ogAqSc5p
— Football Talk (@Football_TaIk) February 20, 2022
AC Milan need to freshen up their options in the final third, considering that their main options in the centre-forward role are Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud, who are in the twilight of their respective careers. Furthermore, Rafael Leao is being linked with a move to Arsenal, and if he were to leave, the Rossoneri could look at Depay as a direct replacement.
Inter Milan, meanwhile, are also in the market to change things up in their attacking unit as Edin Dzeko will soon be turning 36, whereas Alexis Sanchez is staring at an uncertain future at the club. With Joaquin Correa failing to have the kind of impact expected upon arriving last summer, a player of Depay’s quality could be a welcome signing.
Juventus are sweating over the future of Paulo Dybala, who is yet to sign an extension with the club. With his current deal expiring in four months, he is being linked with an exit, which would leave a gaping hole in their attack. Furthermore, Alvaro Morata’s loan deal expires at the end of the season, and the Spaniard might not continue in Turin, as he wishes to join Barcelona.
Depay could be seen as a direct replacement at the Allianz Stadium. The report adds that the Dutchman, whose contract expires in 2023, hopes that the Blaugrana will let him leave for free as he had signed on for no transfer fees and had settled for a big wage drop to secure a move to Camp Nou.
An exit from Barcelona looks imminent for Depay, and it remains to be seen where he ends up before the next season kicks off.
