Memphis Depay could see his long protracted move to Barcelona finally completed this summer according to reports.
The Lyon winger has been a target for boss Ronald Koeman for a year since the latter took over at the Nou Camp at the end of last season.
However the Dutchman was unable to bring his compatriot to the Nou Camp, with Barca’s fragile finances rendering them unable to pay a reasonable transfer fee to the French outfit.
But with the former Manchester United winger out of contract at Lyon at the end of June, he is open to a free transfer to Barcelona where he would be reunited with Koeman who has previously coached Depay while Holland boss between 2018 and 2020.
According to L’Equipe, final details are yet to be completed on a deal but Depay’s representatives hope to announce the move ahead of the 27-year-old joining up with the Holland squad ahead of Euro 2020.
There had been concerns that Depay would reconsider a move to Barcelona if Koeman were to depart this summer but that no longer appears to be an issue.
Koeman is under pressure at Barca after their faint LaLiga title hopes came to a crashing end on Sunday following a shock 2-1 defeat at home by Celta Vigo, despite having taking the lead through a Lionel Messi strike.
Santi Mina hit back with a double for the visitors, including the winner a minute from time shortly after Clement Lenglet had been sent off for Koeman’s outfit.
However with both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid also winning, not even three points would have been enough for Barca to head into the final game of the season with a chance of title success and they are now set to finish a distant third.
While Barcelona are not expected to spend big on transfer fees this summer, they do still have a couple of targets they wish to bring in.
Among them are Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and Manchester City defender Eric Garcia who could also be signed on free transfers following the expiry of their respective contracts next month.
COMMENTS