Newcastle United have been offered the chance to sign Memphis Depay, who remains sure of having no future upon his return to Barcelona.
According to Sport, Memphis Depay is an option for Newcastle United in January, as the Dutchman is sure to depart Barcelona in the next window. The Catalans are still looking for a sizeable transfer fee which could once again put the forward’s prospective move in doubt.
Memphis Depay is available for a potential cut-price move, with Barcelona eager to acquire funds from the sales of unwanted players. The forward is an option for several clubs, but the Spanish giants’ demand for a sizeable transfer fee could again form a roadblock.
Depay has performed decently since signing for Barcelona on a free transfer. The club has signed prolific forwards in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski in the two preceding windows. The Catalans were open to selling the Dutchman in the summer when the Polish striker arrived.
Juventus were the closest to trying and agreeing on a deal with Depay, but the forward always wanted to leave without a transfer fee. Such an idea would have allowed him to receive a salary close to what Barcelona was paying, and the Dutchman remains hopeful of departing on a free transfer.
Barcelona, however, are still trying to get at least €10-15 million in return, which interested clubs are unlikely to pay. The Catalans want to use their sales in a broader way to help ease their financial troubles. Considering Depay will enter the final six months of his deal, no side will pay up in that range.
Newcastle United are the latest club to be linked with a move for Depay. The Magpies are in the market for a new forward and could make do with an experienced head like the Barcelona forward. Eddie Howe requires players that elevate the squad’s current quality, and the January market could prove tricky in that aspect.
Depay certainly has the quality to bring some goals in the forward line and be capable of operating from wide areas. As Newcastle United continued to perform admirably and climbed to the third spot in the Premier League standings, they may still have key players with dodgy fitness records.
Allan Saint-Maximin and Calum Wilson are injury-prone, and Howe would see the wisdom in signing a player like the Barcelona forward for that reason alone. Depay could play in the Frenchman’s or the English international’s position if needed, which makes him valuable.
There are other clubs in the hunt, and if the Magpies feel the need to approach, they will look to reduce the price tag considerably. Barcelona are unlikely to achieve their demands for the Dutchman, which could force them to accept a cut-price deal if it comes their way.
