Barcelona will reportedly demand €40 million to part with Memphis Depay in the summer transfer window, with the Dutch forward a target for Arsenal.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Arsenal will need to stump up €40 million to secure the services of Memphis Depay in the summer transfer window. The Dutch forward could leave Barcelona just one year after arriving at Camp Nou in a Bosman move.
Memphis Depay has endured a stop-start stint since joining Barcelona on a free transfer last summer after running down his contract with Lyon. The 28-year-old started the 2021/22 campaign strongly and quickly became the go-to player for goals in the first few months.
But fitness issues and form have sent the Dutchman tumbling down the pecking order, although he remains Barcelona’s top scorer this season with 12 goals in 34 appearances thus far. However, the player faces an uncertain future at Camp Nou as he has a little over a year left on his contract. Such a situation has captured the attention of Arsenal.
Arsenal will delve into the market for multiple attacking reinforcements in the summer transfer window. That is because Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah will depart from the Emirates as free agents, with their contracts expiring next month. In addition, Nicolas Pepe faces an uncertain future at Arsenal after becoming a bit-part player this season.
So signing a versatile forward who can complete double duty as a wide-attacker and a striker will bode well for Arsenal. To that end, Depay has emerged as a viable target for the Gunners, who have already submitted an enquiry to Barcelona for the 28-year-old Dutch international.
Gabriel Jesus is another target for Arsenal, with the two parties reportedly in contact. But Manchester City might stand in the north London club’s way, prompting them to set sights on Depay instead. And the Gunners now know how much they will need to shell out to prise Depay away from Camp Nou, with Barcelona demanding €40 million for him.
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But signing Depay could also prove to be a tall order for Arsenal, with the former Manchester United man insisting that he wants to remain at FC Barcelona for several more years. It will be interesting to see what transpires in this transfer saga and whether Arsenal will be ready to fork out €40 million to land Depay.
