Man Utd, Juventus, PSG - SIX teams chasing Memphis Depay
FT Desk
- Updated: 3 Aug 2022 14:23 BST
- 3 min read
Memphis Depay is attracting big interest from around Europe after Robert Lewandowski's arrival at Camp Nou further blocked his chances for first-team minutes in Barcelona's attack.
Memphis was taken to the USA for Barcelona's recent pre-season tour, and even found the target in wins over Inter Miami and New York Red Bulls, but Xavi has been clear all along that he is behind Lewandowski and fellow new arrival Raphinha for minutes in the final third once competitive action is under way.
The Dutch international is happy to lead the line or play slightly deeper and wider behind a main striker, but as well as Lewandowski he has Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to compete with for the former role, and the recovering Ansu Fati and re-signed Ousmane Dembele for the latter.
Memphis has changed his mind... He now wants OUT of Barcelona https://t.co/hYHMuo4bVJ
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 2, 2022
Various clubs have been linked with a move in recent weeks, with Juventus reportedly at the front of the queue.
'Coveted by Juventus'
"It should be remembered that Juventus already coveted him last year after the end of his contract with Lyon," wrote Spanish sports daily Mundo Deportivo. "This summer, the northern Italian club have lost [Paulo] Dybala and [Federico Bernardeschi], and it seems they won't be able to count on [Alvaro] Morata."
Memphis could be a welcome addition to the Bianconeri. He scored 12 goals in 28 La Liga games last season and is the owner of 24 strikes in European club competition with PSV Eindhoven. Manchester United and Lyon, as well as Barca.
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Memphis is ranked at €32 million by Football Transfers sophisticated in-house algorithm, but the player's entourage are pushing for Barcelona to allow him to leave on a free, with getting his €10m a year salary off their wage bill an attractive proposition in its own right.
Premier League trio Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle have also been credited with an interest, as have French pair Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon.
