According to Tutto Juve, Newcastle are in pole position to beat Juventus to the signing of Memphis Depay.
Newcastle set to fend off Juventus
Well, both the Premier League side and the Serie A outfit play in black and white, although they are far from similar when it comes to finances.
Tutto Juve believe the influence of Mohamed Bin Salman at Newcastle has given the Magpies an edge in the race for Depay, with Juventus now seemingly ‘left out’ of the pursuit as the Italian news outlet put it.
The report also states that Newcastle have ‘more than enough’ money left in the budget to sign Depay, who earns £158,000-a-week at Barcelona.
Newcastle would only need to pay a transfer fee if they decided to move for the Netherlands international in January, as his contract at the Camp Nou expires in July.
Regardless of that, Depay still wouldn’t come cheap for Eddie Howe even if he does hit free agency, as that usually sees the player in question receive a bloated salary in the absence of a transfer fee.
For example, Juventus paid Aaron Ramsey £400,000-a-week after his contract with Arsenal expired in 2019.
So far this season, Depay has only made three appearances for Barcelona following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski, scoring one goal.
Newcastle can make a statement by fending off Juventus
If Newcastle do manage to successfully fend off Juventus and complete the signing of Depay, it would be a real statement.
Of course, the arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak have been statement signings in themselves, although this deal would speak volumes given the Dutchman’s pedigree across Europe.
Guimaraes and Isak are potential superstars of the next generation, but Depay has already proven himself consistently on the European stage, and is also close to becoming the all-time top scorer for the Netherlands at the age of 28.
He only needs nine goals to leapfrog Robin van Persie’s tally of 50.
If Howe and Dan Ashworth can lure Depay to Tyneside, it would be a special signing.
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