Newcastle United currently hold an advantage over Sevilla in the pursuit of the Barcelona forward Memphis Depay.
As per Mundo Deportivo, as relayed by Sports Witness, Newcastle United are the front-runners to acquire the services of Memphis Depay who is also of interest to Sevilla.
Barring three matches, Depay has not had much game time this season as he has been struggling with a thigh issue. Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal named him in the 26-man World Cup squad, but the player is unlikely to be involved in the first game against Senegal.
Barcelona kept themselves relevant with the help of a number of economic levers which got activated to give the club some respite from their financial conundrum.
The danger is still hovering on the horizon, and they need to lower their salary expenses to get themselves through unscathed. Depay’s current contract is scheduled to get over this summer, but the Catalan giants are willing to offload the Dutch international this January.
The 28-year-old has not initiated discussions with any of the interested clubs. But both Newcastle United and Sevilla are pretty adamant to make the player feel welcome at their respective clubs.
Newcastle’s wealthy owners already oversaw a pretty busy summer, and Eddie Howe knows he will need the help of a couple of more transfer windows to stabilize the current performance. The Magpies have defied all odds and have secured a top-four place prior to the World Cup break.
Newcastle might falter in the long run, but there have been very satisfactory signs and it could convince Depay to take a risky plunge. The former Manchester United forward has already made it clear that he needs a good package before accepting a move, and Sevilla won’t be able to afford his demands.
The Spanish outfit are under acute financial restraints and would not be able to afford Depay’s wages. Newcastle won’t have any issue in offering him a top-level contract, and the player could also be seen competing in the Champions League next season if the side maintains its current form on the pitch.
