Barcelona manager insists on Memphis Depay signing
Barcelona set to make another run at Memphis Depay.
If the draw against Sevilla and the loss against Getafe have shown anything, it is that despite all its talent up top, Barcelona still lack a proper goalscorer.
Manager Ronald Koeman is aware of that deficiency and is insisting that the club go after Lyon striker Memphis Depay in the winter transfer window.
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According to Diario Sport, Koeman reiterated his desire to see Depay join the club in an interview with Dutch outlet, AD.
"“It’s certainly possible. I will try, because I want him at Barcelona. But I can’t know what the club’s situation financially will be in January. We will have to wait and see.”Source: Diario Sport"
The Catalans tried until the last day of the transfer window but were unable to pay what Lyon wanted for the Dutch striker.
Barcelona were hoping that they would be able to sell Ousmane Dembélé to Manchester United to fund the move. The deal for Depay then fell through when no agreement could be reached with United.
But as the old saying goes, “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
What Barcelona are hoping is that Lyon’s will lower their asking price for Depay as his contract is set to end come next season. Barring an extension, Lyon run the risk of losing him next summer on a free.
In the interview, Koeman said that the majority of the Barcelona attackers like the ball at their feet. What Depay would offer is the ability to get in behind the defense and his physicality to his advantage and not get bullied by the center-backs.
In addition to playing as a striker, he can also play on the left. He would give Koeman more flexibility when it comes to his attacking options.
The dilemma that signing him would bring is that Barcelona are already overloaded in attack. They are unlikely to be able to offload Dembélé or Antoine Griezmann, who hasn’t improved under Koeman.
With the vote of no confidence looming over Josep Maria Bartomeu and the board, signing players during the winter transfer window may not be their priority. Barcelona generally don’t like buying during that time either.
Next. Barcelona transfer operation to fix their defensive issues. dark
If nothing else, Koeman has been very open with what he wants as well as understanding the club’s less than ideal financial situation. The transfer window is not far off. Anything can happen between then and now but with Koeman insisting on him and Depay wanting to come, it may only be a matter of time until Depay is unveiled as the newest Barcelona player.