Barcelona are closing in on a move for Lyon forward Memphis Depay. The Dutch international has been in sensational form for the French club ever since signing for them in 2017 from Manchester United.
As per Transfer Market Web, the Catalan club are close to signing him, with the likes of AS Roma and Borussia Dortmund also interested in the Lyon skipper. The Dutchman has been a key player for the French side, scoring 57 goals and providing 43 assists in 139 games for the club.
Memphis Depay is also a key part of the Netherlands national team, playing 54 times and scoring 19 goals for his country. The 26-year-old is entering the final year of his contract at Lyon.
Memphis Depay: The player to re-energise their attack?
Memphis Depay has turned around his career since moving to Lyon in 2017. The Dutchman had a forgetful spell at Manchester United, where he was brought in to be the next Cristiano Ronaldo. It didn’t quite work out for him at Old Trafford, but he has shown his true potential at Lyon.
Depay has matured as a forward and been deadly in front of goal, becoming one of the most feared forwards in Europe. He has been played in various roles and positions at Lyon, playing as a left-sided winger, a centre forward, as well as an attacking midfielder. The right-footed player, who always had flair and tremendous dribbling ability, has added goals to his game at Lyon.
He has started off the 2020-21 season on a high, scoring a hat-trick in Lyon’s 4-1 win against Dijon, which would have pleased new Barca coach Ronald Koeman. Koeman has managed Depay when he was in charge of the Dutch national team and will know all about the qualities that the 26-year-old possesses. He could be a good addition to the Barcelona side, as his flair and technical ability can shine alongside Messi and co.
The Dutch forward’s versatility will be a bonus as he can replace Luis Suarez upfront, or even be an option out wide, competing with the likes of Ansu Fati and Philippe Coutinho for the wide left berth in the Barca starting XI. Depay has solid experience of playing in the Champions League, as well as the pressure that comes with playing for a big club.
He is just 26 years of age and still has a lot to offer, and will only become a better player going forward and while there has been the odd detractor regarding the transfer, given the new direction Koeman seems to be wanting to go, Memphis Depay fits well in that mould.
It will not hurt Barcelona to be more flexible in their approach and the board should sanction the move if the manager is decided on the player.