Tottenham Hotspur now hold a key advantage on Arsenal in the transfer race for Memphis Depay in January. Barcelona may also let the Netherlands ace leave the Camp Nou for free.
That is according to Marca, which reports Depay only intends to leave his La Liga side for a Champions League club. But as of yet, no team competing in UEFA’s elite club competition has approached the forward’s agent. Instead, Roma have chased his signature the hardest.
Yet Depay risks pricing himself out of a move to the Stadio Olimpico where Jose Mourinho can only offer Europa League football. The Giallorossi will face RB Salzburg in the knockout stage play-offs on February 16 and 23. They finished second to Real Betis during Group C.
Depay is demanding a wage of €7m-a-year (£116k-a/w) from his potential suitors, which is too much for Roma right now. The Italian outfit believe it is impossible to fit that salary in their budget whilst remaining clear of Financial Fair Play sanctions amid ongoing concerns.
Roma had sought to hold negotiations with the forward’s camp after witnessing Depay hit form at the World Cup. The 28-year-old helped the Netherlands reach the quarter-finals of Qatar 2022. He hit one goal in five games before losing to Argentina in a penalty shootout.
Depay boosts Tottenham in a race with Arsenal for the Barcelona star’s transfer
Depay flew to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup keen to use the FIFA stage to attract interest for the January window. The 86-cap Oranje ace is out of contract at Barcelona in June but could leave in the winter market. He has only featured three times this term due to injury.
Now clear of the fitness issues that blighted an already frustrating campaign, the 28-year-old could be on the move. Sport has previously cited Arsenal, Chelsea and Depay’s former club, Manchester United, as potential options with Barcelona possibly open to his transfer.
The Blaugrana would also consider letting Depay leave Catalunya for free as they want to save on his salary. But the Gunners, Blues and Red Devils – who signed Depay from PSV in 2015 for £31m – wished to see how the forward performed in Qatar before chasing a deal.
Tottenham, too, have Depay on their shortlist knowing Barcelona are potentially open to a free transfer, per 90min. And now Spurs have landed a key advantage over Arsenal, Roma and Manchester United as Antonio Conte can offer Champions League football this season.
Although Depay may yet want another crack at Old Trafford having left for Lyon in January 2017 for £16m, rising to £21.5m. Arsenal could also offer Depay – who Gunners icon Cesc Fabregas claims can create ‘magic’ – a leading role after the knee surgery for Gabriel Jesus.
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