Barcelona‘s attacker wants to depart for free in January, and Manchester United and Tottenham are interested.
Memphis Depay’s time at Barcelona appears to be coming to an end. The Netherlands international has struggled to find game time at the start of the current season and had been sidelined with an injury since September.
Barça played their penultimate game before the World Cup break and will be back in action on New Year’s Eve against local rivals RCD Espanyol. And it’s unclear whether Depay will be in manager Xavi Hernandez’s plans by then.
The 28-year-old had fallen out of favour this term and had made just three appearances before his injury. And Barça have reportedly been contemplating the option of moving him on in the winter window.
Now, as relayed by SPORT, Depay himself has asked the club to let him leave on a free transfer in the January transfer window, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur monitoring his situation.
It is no secret that the Netherlands striker was close to leaving Barcelona for Juventus in the summer window until a deal fell through. Furthermore, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s late move to Chelsea dented any hopes of his exit.
However, Depay wants to resurrect his career after struggling for game-time at Spotify Camp Nou this season and does not wish to wait until the summer to do so. Hence, he has asked Barça to sanction an exit in the January transfer window.
It is reported that the 28-year-old wants the Catalans to grant him a letter of freedom and allow him to leave for free like they were planning to do in the summer.
This development has seemingly alerted two clubs in England in the form of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Red Devils know Depay well, given that he had a stint at Old Trafford in the past, albeit a largely forgettable one. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur had been linked with a move for the Dutchman during the summer, although nothing materialised.
If the versatile forward will be available for free in January, the two clubs would likely be interested in a move, the report claims. It all depends on Barcelona whether they are willing to let him leave for nothing even though he still has six months left on his contract.
