Newcastle United have reportedly moved into a pole position to sign Barcelona forward Memphis Depay when the transfer window re-opens in January.
Newcastle United have surpassed Juventus in the race to sign FC Barcelona striker Memphis Depay. That’s according to a report from TUTTOJUVE, who claim the Magpies are among a clutch of top clubs interested in signing Barcelona striker Memphis Depay in January.
The report also adds that Depay will be permitted to leave Barcelona when the transfer market reopens, and while the Dutchman wishes to join a Champions League club, a lucrative offer from the Magpies could prove too tempting for the 28-year-old to turn down.
Barcelona, for their part, will have little trouble cashing in on Depay. After all, the former Manchester United and Lyon striker is well down the pecking order and arrived on a Bosman transfer.
Also, Depay’s current deal at the Camp Nou expires in the summer of 2023, allowing him to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season. It also implies that he can negotiate a pre-contract deal with a foreign club from January onwards ahead of a summer switch, or even be snapped up at a reduced fee during the winter window.
Depay might not be receiving enough playing time at Barcelona to showcase his talent. However, the Dutchman has no shortage of admirers outside the Catalonia. The 28-year-old was on the cusp of leaving Camp Nou during the summer transfer window, with Juventus interested, but the deal fell through and the forward eventually decided to stay put.
One of many teams keeping close tabs on his situation were cash-rich Newcastle United, and there were even some reports claiming he was close to joining compatriot Sven Botman at St James’ Park before the club focused on signing Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad instead.
As per the above report, a deal for Depay appears to be back on the table, and the Magpies have moved ahead of Juventus in the battle for the Dutchman’s signature.
Newcastle are well-stocked in the forward department, with Callum Wilson, Chris Wood, and Alexander Isak very capable operators up top. Wood has largely been underwhelming this season, and it is difficult to envisage a future for the 30-year-old New Zealand international beyond next summer.
The Magpies can make do with someone of Depay’s calibre and versatility to operate on both flanks as well as in a second striker role if needed. He will not only add firepower to the frontline, but his top-level experience could prove handy for Newcastle to truly challenge for a Champions League spot next season.
As things stand, the Premier League outfit are now still mulling over the option of making a move for him in the upcoming transfer market, as even though they could sign him for a cut price deal, they would also have to cover his hefty salary and will likely have to break their wage structure.
