Barcelona are reportedly facing competition from Liverpool in the race to sign Memphis Depay from Lyon in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish publication MARCA, Memphis Depay has popped up on the radar of Liverpool over a move in the summer transfer window. The Dutchman, who could become a free agent post the end of the season, is also a long-term target for Barcelona.
Depay has turned his career around spectacularly since joining Lyon from Manchester United in January 2017. Over the last four years or so, he has been a pivotal figure for Les Gones, while also having played a key role in Netherlands’ resurgence in international football.
Till date, Depay has turned out 169 times for Lyon, with a solid return of 69 goals and 52 assists to show for his efforts. His progress has not gone unnoticed either and with his deal with the Ligue 1 outfit set to run out at the end of the season, he has become an appealing prospect for suitors. As of now, Barcelona and Liverpool appear to be chasing a move for Depay.
Ever since Ronald Koeman first stepped foot in Camp Nou again as the new Barcelona manager, the rumour mill has been abuzz with links between the Blaugrana and Depay. It was under Koeman that Depay and Netherlands turned their fortunes around and with the club in the market for an attacking reinforcement, the interest in the 27-year-old indeed made sense.
As for Liverpool, they could find a use for Depay in two different ways. He could either replace Roberto Firmino, who continues to be linked with a switch to Atletico Madrid, or come in for Mohamed Salah, who is on the radars of Real Madrid and Barcelona over a possible summer move.
Apart from Barcelona and Liverpool, Juventus are also believed to be keeping a keen eye on him, and are interested in signing him. His potential status as a free agent only make the interested parties more eager to make a move for Depay and it will be interesting to see which of the three clubs offer him the best terms to end up securing his services on a Bosman deal come summer.