Lyon star Memphis Depay has reportedly started searching for a house in Barcelona after agreeing to take a pay cut to join the Catalan giants as a free agent this summer.
The 27-year-old’s contract at the Ligue 1 side expires in June and he has been heavily linked with joining up with compatriot Ronald Koeman at the Nou Camp at the end of the season.
Now it looks as if move is turning into a reality after reports in Spain claimed he was searching for a new place to live in Barcelona last week.
According to Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, the Dutchman was spotted looking at ‘high-end’ pads with friends and family in the sophisticated district of Pedralbes.
Following his flying visit where he looked at a number of houses, Depay returned to Lyon before going on to feature in the club’s feisty encounter with Monaco, which saw five players see red while Depay bagged himself a goal and an assist in the 3-2 away victory.
Now, with the forward entering his final month with the Ligue 1 side, Depay looks set to turn down interest from the likes of Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Inter Milan to be reunited with his former international boss Ronald Koeman in Catalonia.
The Holland star reportedly agreed personal terms with the Catalan giants right at the end of last year’s summer transfer window, but a move fell through due to a lack of player sales at Barcelona.
Catalan TV station Esport3 last month reported the club are renegotiating a deal to sign Depay six months on, but add that he is being offered half or slightly more than half than what he was presented with in October.
The same outlet adds Depay has better financial offers from Atletico, Juve and Inter, but that the player ultimately wants to play under Koeman again, having featured under him at international level.
The report mentions Depay’s representatives travelled to Barcelona in early April to begin negotiations with new director of football Mateu Alemany, who was brought into the role following the election of president Joan Laporta in March.
Koeman remains keen to sign Depay as he looks to strengthen his attacking reinforcements ahead of next season.
Depay has scored 21 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions for Champions League-chasing Lyon this season, and has provided 10 assists for the side currently sat fourth in Ligue 1.
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