Report explains what 22-goal ace sacrificed to seal dream move, amid Spurs and Liverpool links

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Memphis Depay will take a sizable pay cut on his originally agreed salary to join Barcelona, according to Goal, despite interest from Liverpool and Tottenham in a free summer transfer.

The Dutchman left Lyon at the end of last season after his contract with the Ligue 1 outfit expired. Depay produced a lethal final year with 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions, but it failed to secure the Groupama Stadium side qualification for the Champions League.

Barcelona moved to snap up Depay on a free transfer and confirmed his arrival at the Camp Nou last month. But the La Liga outfit are riddled with debt, meaning they cannot officially register his move. Instead, they are having to free funds to help balance the books.

And Depay is doing his part by agreeing to a 30% reduction on the salary Barcelona gave him. The 27-year-old was due to earn €7m-a-year (£116k-p/w), but will now earn €5m-a-year (£82.5k-p/w). He is happy to accept the cut as the Camp Nou move was his dream.

The forward could have returned to the Premier League and rewrote the history books after flopping at Manchester United. Marca claimed in March that Liverpool were considering a move for Depay, who FC Inter News touted as a Tottenham and Inter Milan target in June.

But Depay sought to realise his Barcelona dream with the presence of Ronald Koeman in the dugout a big attraction. Yet his move would not have been possible had the 68-cap attacker not agreed to sacrifice 30% of his salary, without even kicking a ball for the club.

Tottenham and Liverpool faced uphill task to beat Barcelona to Depay

Tottenham and Liverpool chiefs always faced an uphill task trying to beat Barcelona to sign Depay this summer. His willingness to give up 30% of his pay without an appearance for the La Liga giants is just the latest sign of his commitment to being at the Camp Nou next term.

Depay confirmed last month that he was joining Barcelona, despite the interest from Liverpool and Tottenham. Particularly because his compatriot, Koeman, is in charge there.

“Everyone knows that I have been negotiating with Barcelona for a long time,” Depay said, via the Daily Mail. “My dream is to play for Ronald Koeman.”