Memphis Depay will reportedly leave FC Barcelona after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with Newcastle United one of the clubs interested in signing the Netherlands international.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the 28-year-old attacker will depart Catalonia in the January transfer window with Depay enduring a rough season with the La Liga giants, with the former Olympique Lyonnais star limited to just three appearances in all competitions due to injury.
With Barcelona also signing Robert Lewandowski in the summer, Depay’s future with the European titans was seemingly already decided, with the attacker now set to leave the club in January after the World Cup in Qatar, where the forward is expected to receive a call-up from Louis van Gaal despite his injury problems in recent weeks.
Depay leaving Barcelona would be one of the biggest transfers of the January transfer window, and according to Tutto Juve, Newcastle are currently leading the race to sign the former Manchester United star, with Juventus also in the chasing pack for the Dutch attacker.
Whilst the versatile striker has suffered an injury-hit season, there’s no denying that Depay would be a great addition for almost every top side in Europe in Janaury. And for Newcastle, landing the Dutchman could be Eddie Howe’s first real superstar signing since joining the Magpies.
Indeed, PIF have been smart in their business in the transfer market since taking over last year and are yet to resort to signing a huge big-name player, unlike what Manchester City did in 2008 with Robinho. However, Newcastle could buck their trend with Depay in January, who would be quite the addition.
Newcastle should be all over Depay if he leaves Barcelona
Attack is a key area Newcastle are eager to invest in during the January window, and with Depay set to leave Barcelona, there are few players out there in the market who the Magpies could sign that could match the output the Netherlands star might achieve in the northeast.
Hitting the prime of his career, Depay would be a dangerous asset for Newcastle as well as the club’s first bonafide superstar signing under the PIF regime. And for the player himself, a return to the Premier League could be a very appealing prospect given his time at United.
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