‘World-class’ forward clearly has no interest in joining Arsenal or Newcastle

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Everton, Newcastle United and Arsenal want Memphis Depay transfer but the Barcelona ace has confirmed his desire to stay in La Liga, speaking via Fabrizio Romano. 

Things tend to change quickly in football.

Just ask Depay. He was Barcelona’s number one forward a couple of months ago. Now, the Dutch international isn’t even guaranteed a place in Xavi’s XI these days.

The January arrivals of Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw to that. Ousmane Dembele’s sudden resurgence forced Depay even further down the Camp Nou pecking order. 

Some have even suggested his Barcelona career could come to an end after just one season in Catalonia. 

Arsenal want Memphis Depay

SuperDeporte claimed in April that Everton, Newcastle and Arsenal had held exploratory talks to enquire about the former Lyon star’s availability. 

But, having worked his fingers to the bone to earn a second stab at life on the top level, Depay is in no mood to give up on his Barcelona career at the first sign of trouble. 

“I came here at Barcelona with the desire to play for the team,” says a 28-year-old who continues to prove that Manchester United were probably a little soon to write him off.

“And, of course, I want to feel important here for several years.” 

Depay has started just two of Barcelona’s La Liga games since the turn of the year. He remains their top scorer, however. Depay took his tally to 12 in all competitions with a devastating touch and shot in Sunday’s triumph over relegation-threatened Real Mallorca. 

Instinctive. Almost effortless. The type of finish that had Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas rushing to label Depay a ‘world-class’ football player.

Is Memphis Depay ‘world-class’?

Depay’s determination to fight for his place at the Camp Nou is no guarantee that he’ll still be wearing blue and red next season however.

According to Sport, cash-strapped Barca will listen to offers for Depay. Reports are linking the Blaugrana with the likes of Mo Salah, Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski.