Atletico Madrid are reportedly interested in raiding Barcelona for the signing of Memphis Depay in the summer transfer window.
According to a report from El Nacional, Atletico Madrid are considering making a play to sign Barcelona forward Memphis Depay in the summer transfer window later this year.
Depay signed for Barcelona in the summer of 2021, arriving on a free transfer after his contract with Olympique Lyon had run out. The 27-year-old made an explosive start to life in Catalonia, scoring several crucial goals. Out with an injury since early December, the attacker’s form had been on the decline for a while before that.
In 15 La Liga matches for Barcelona, Depay has scored eight goals and registered two assists. However, he has failed to contribute directly to a goal in his six UEFA Champions League appearances. With Barcelona signing Ferran Torres in the ongoing transfer window and targeting a move for Alvaro Morata, there is a chance that the Dutchman could be pushed down the pecking order at Camp Nou.
In addition, the Catalans are also eyeing a summer move for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland to bolster their attacking unit further. Such a move would render Depay a mere backup option as Xavi Hernandez would likely prefer the frontline of Torres, Haaland and Ansu Fati.
Furthermore, Depay will also be entering the final year of his contract with the Blaugrana at the end of the season, which could compel them into considering a sale in the summer. And, Atletico Madrid are now plotting to capitalise on the situation by offering the Netherlands international a way out of Camp Nou.
The report claims that Los Rojiblancos manager Diego Simeone is a great admirer of the former Manchester United man and has been monitoring him for quite some time now. With Antoine Griezmann’s return to the Wanda Metropolitano not going according to plans, Luis Suarez entering the twilight of his career and Joao Felix staring at an uncertain future, the La Liga champions are eyeing Depay as a target.
The 27-year-old could be open to a move himself after seeing his mentor, Ronald Koeman, getting sacked earlier in the season. The report adds that Barcelona would also not stand in the way of an exit and instead potentially look to use Atletico’s interest in the Dutch forward in their bid to sign either Joao Felix or Saul Niguez, both of whom are firmly on the Catalans’ radars.
Apart from Atletico Madrid, Depay is also courting interest from several other clubs like Juventus, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain and West Ham United. So, it will be interesting to see if he remains a Barcelona player beyond the ongoing campaign.
