Memphis jolts Barcelona with contract termination request
FT Desk
- 2 Aug 2022 20:00 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona forward Memphis Depay has reportedly demanded that the club tear up his current contract and allow him to leave on a free transfer.
The Netherlands star has been at Camp Nou for just over a year, having joined on a free transfer from Lyon last June.
He went on to enjoy a solid debut season with Barca, scoring 13 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions to lead the way during a difficult term for the Catalans.
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Most of those were netted during the first half of the season, though, as the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal and Depay's own injury issues kept him largely on the margins of Xavi's starting line-up after Christmas.
Now, with Aubameyang settled as the first-choice No. 9 and Ousmane Dembele having ended the uncertainty over his future by finally signing a new deal, there appears to be little room in Xavi's plans for the former Manchester United man.
Depay initially wanted to stay at Barca but has now accepted his fate - though he wants the exit to be on his terms.
What is next for Depay?
According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the striker's lawyers are negotiating his exit with the club, who are not prepared to let him leave for free.
Memphis' intention is to depart as a free agent and thereby become a more attractive transfer prospect for one of Europe's big clubs due to the absence of a fee.
Sport, meanwhile, reports that this bombshell has occurred in the middle of talks between Barca and Juve to send the forward to Turin on an initial loan with mandatory option to buy, which would net the Blaugrana €20 million once exercised.
The player is yet to respond to that offer but did turn down a move back to the Premier League with Tottenham, who were prepared to sign him on a permanent deal this summer.
