Barcelona have dropped a massive hint that they will sign Dutch international forward Memphis Depay as a free agent this summer.
The former Manchester United player will be out of contract on 30 June when his deal at French club Olympique Lyonnais expires, meaning that he can join another club without a transfer fee.
As highlighted by Catalan newspaper Sport, the Blaugrana are already listing the player as an option to add to the back of the club’s shirt on their online shop.
Whilst that would appear to be an administrational error on behalf of the club, it is a significant indicator that the Dutchman will be arriving at the Camp Nou imminently.
(Image: Getty Images)
Memphis is set to star for the Netherlands in Euro 2020 and deflected questions about his future in a recent briefing with the press, as he reiterated that he was fully focused on the international tournament.
The 27-year-old is the first choice forward for his nation and the links with a move to Barcelona are primarily fuelled by the fact that it would reunite him with his former national team boss Ronald Koeman.
The former central defender remains in the Barca hotseat for next season despite an unconvincing debut season at the club, where he could only guide them to a third-place finish in La Liga and a Copa del Rey challenge.
However, Koeman’s inability to keep his side in the title mix alongside Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, coupled with an underwhelming Champions League exit at the Round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain, had scrutinised questions over his future.
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Koeman was appointed last summer by former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, but the election of new supremo Joan Laporta had indicated that a change of coach could happen this summer.
Despite a series of high-profile public meetings and mass reports that the club had told Koeman they were undecided on his future and were considering replacing him, it appears that the Dutchman will now see out the second and final year of his contract – and will be tasked with regaining the league title.
The Catalan giants are operating under significant financial restrictions this summer but have managed to secure the signings of Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia, who were also both free agents following their release from Manchester City.
The club have also exercised their option to sign Brazil international Emerson Royal permanently from Real Betis – although there are reports that he may be sold on for profit to Inter this summer.
Barcelona were thwarted in their attempts to land Georginio Wijnaldum – another Netherlands international who starred under Koeman – following his Liverpool exit, as their financial offer was trumped by Paris Saint-Germain.
However, it does appear that Memphis will be arriving at the club this summer with the club’s website offering his name on the back of their shirts for fans to buy for next season.
