Memphis Depay has defended his decision to overlook rumoured transfer interest from Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur to join Barcelona this summer, as told to ESPN.
The Dutchman moved to the Camp Nou on a free transfer after leaving Lyon at the end of his contract. But the Blaugrana have struggled for form under Ronald Koeman so far this season and sit ninth in La Liga. Winning just three of their opening seven league fixtures.
Barcelona have also relied on Depay taking more on responsibility after losing Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann in the summer. Koeman has started the 27-year-old in each of the Catalan outfit’s La Liga fixtures, while Depay has scored three goals.
Liverpool and Tottenham had explored bringing Depay back to the Premier League before Barcelona sealed his transfer in June. Marca reported in March that the Anfield hierarchy were attentive to his situation. While FC Inter News also cited Tottenham as a rival suitor.
Depay has now defended his decision to pick Barcelona when ESPN Netherlands asked if he had any regrets. Given the Blaugrana have endured such a tough start to the term so far.
“How could you ask that? It’s Barcelona. I don’t think you understand how big this club is and what it means for a player if you move to a club like this. I would never regret it,” he said.
Should Depay have picked Liverpool or Tottenham over Barcelona?
Depay will feel he made the right call selecting Barcelona over potential moves to Liverpool or Tottenham this summer. He is now the main man at the Camp Nou in the post-Messi era and leading their efforts under Koeman.
The Dutchman also made clear desires to join the Blaugrana this summer after taking a pay cut before officially joining. Goal reported he lowered his agreed €7m-a-year (£114k-p/w) terms to €5m (£82k-p/w) so Barcelona could register his contract.
Yet reports by Calciomercato already suggest Barcelona would consider parting with Depay to strengthen other positions. So, the suggestion Depay could regret overlooking possible moves to Tottenham or Liverpool may not be too far-fetched.
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