Barcelona have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Memphis Depay on a free transfer in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish publication MARCA, Barcelona have taken a major step towards securing the services of one of their priority targets, Memphis Depay. The Blaugrana have reached an agreement over a deal for the Dutch international, who has just one demand left to formalise his switch to Camp Nou.
Depay has turned his career around superbly since joining Lyon from Manchester United in January 2017. Over the past four years or so, the Dutch forward has progressed exponentially and is now widely regarded as one of the best attacking players on show in Europe while also having become a pivotal figure for Netherlands.
The 27-year-old is having a memorable campaign with Lyon, with a return of 21 goals and 10 assists in 38 appearances across all competitions to show for his efforts. Depay, though, has no future at Lyon, where his deal runs out this summer. And, Barcelona have been intent on securing his services on a free transfer for quite some time now.
The Blaugrana had attempted to sign Depay in each of the last two transfer windows as well, before a move failed to materialise. Heading into this summer’s transfer window, though, Barcelona’s position has been strengthened further by the fact that Depay’s contract with Lyon runs out ahead of the 2021/22 season.
With the Catalan giants still in dire straits on the financial front, it is prudent for them to scour for low-money options, making Depay a viable target, especially considering they are hoping to keep some funds aside to secure the services of priority target Erling Haaland.
However, Barcelona have reportedly been keeping their options open when it comes to Depay as well, with Donyell Malen reportedly identified as a possible alternative. Now, though, it has emerged that Barcelona have reached an agreement to sign Depay this coming summer, with the 27-year-old even prepared to accept a reduced salary to make the switch to Camp Nou.
Depay’s only demand is that Barcelona retain the services of Ronald Koeman, whose future at the club is uncertain. What now remains to be seen is if the Blaugrana continue with Koeman going into the 2021/22 season, pending which the Dutch international could be on his way to Barcelona on a Bosman move.