Lyon ace Memphis Depay will reportedly be a Barcelona player soon with reports suggesting that the two clubs have come to terms regarding the transfer fee. The player will be reunited with his former national team manager Ronald Koeman next season.
The La Liga club hopes to complete the signing and present the player by the end of this week. Barcelona will pay 25 million Euros upfront and 5 million Euros next year to Lyon as part of the transfer. The deal also includes 2 million Euros as part of performance-based add-ons.
Depay was one of the primary transfer targets for newly-appointed Ronald Koeman. With the imminent transfer of Luis Suarez to Juventus subjected to an Italian citizenship test, the Dutch manager hopes to integrate Depay into his attacking system comprising of Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann.
BREAKING: @FCBarcelona have agreed to sign @Memphis from Lyon, per @MikeVerweij 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/jKGyuA4th4
— 433 (@433) September 14, 2020
Sources also reveal that Manchester United, who hold a buy-back clause for the player, opted not to activate it. Furthermore, Ronald Koeman spoke with the 26-year-old after the personal terms with the player were out of the way. Lyon accepted the first bid that Barcelona offered.
Barcelona will end up signing Depay – final fee €30m [add ons included as per @MikeVerweij]. The first official bid will be accepted by OL. Personal terms already agreed days ago. #MUFC never been interested in matching the bid. Koeman spoke with Memphis last week. 🚨 #FCB https://t.co/iLtcHGhPrM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 14, 2020
The Dutch winger has revived his career after his disappointing stint at Old Trafford. Forming a lethal attacking trio alongside Mariano and Nabil Fekir during his early days in Ligue 1, Depay evolved to lead the side to the Champions League semi-finals this season. Depay spoke about a potential move to Barcelona last week, he said:
“Let’s see what happens.“Tomorrow I will speak to Olympique Lyon. I know there is interest, but I don’t want to say much more, mainly because I haven’t spoken much to my agent.”
Barcelona’s transfer window so far
The La Liga runner-ups have Phillipe Coutinho back in the mix after Bayern Munich opted not to go for the buy option after the loan deal came to an end.
According to reports, Ronald Koeman had a keen interest in securing the services of Liverpool and Netherlands midfielder Georgino Wijnaldum. However, the player is most likely to extend his stay at Merseyside after being offered a contract. Another one of Barcelona’s target, striker Lautaro Martinez is speculated to sign a long-term contract with Inter Milan.
Prior to this the club have already sold Ivan Rakitic and Arthur with Arturo Vidal next on the list of potential departures with Inter Milan the reported destination.
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