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28-year-old Manchester United target ‘certain’ to leave Barcelona in 2023

Netherlands star Memphis Depay set to depart Barcelona next year amidst Manchester United links.
Netherlands star Memphis Depay set to depart Barcelona next year amidst Manchester United links. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Netherlands star Memphis Depay set to depart Barcelona next year amidst Manchester United links

Barcelona forward and former Manchester United star Memphis Depay is set to depart the Camp Nou side next year, according to Spanish news outlet AS (h/t Manchester Evening News).

As per journalist Adrian Sanchez (h/t MEN), the Red Devils are interested in bringing the Netherlands international back to the club. And the 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract in Catalunya. Thus, the La Liga outfit would need to sell the player in January to get a fee for him.

Under Ronaldo Koeman, the forward was the talisman for the Blaugrana. However, he has found it hard to get into Xavi Hernandez’s plans at Barcelona. As a result, the Dutch national’s game time has diminished considerably.

Netherlands star Memphis Depay set to depart Barcelona next year amidst Manchester United links.
Memphis Depay is set to leave Barcelona next year amidst interest from Manchester United. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Depay joined the Catalan club as a free agent in the summer of 2021. He had left Olympique Lyon after four-and-a-half fruitful years in France. In the 2020/21 campaign, the Holland international made 40 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists.

Unfortunately, his numbers have dwindled at Barcelona. However, Louis van Gaal still seems to trust the forward, including him in the Netherlands’ 26-man squad for the World Cup.

The Oranje are set to take on Senegal, Ecuador and hosts Qatar in Group A. But it remains to be seen what role Depay plays for them, having been sidelined for the Blaugrana in the last few weeks.

https://twitter.com/Memphis/status/1593219987191517193?s=20&t=4mWugThAStlRWJSV2_C35w

United evidently have a dearth of strikers in the squad. Anthony Martial has struggled to stay fit, while Cristiano Ronaldo has lost his form. As a result, Erik ten Hag has put faith in Marcus Rashford to lead the line. And the 25-year-old has been decent.

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However, some fans feel a number nine should be a priority. And Depay is versatile enough to play through the middle and out wide. Thus, it would be wise for the club to consider a move for the 28-year-old in the coming transfer windows.

Written by Aheed Abrar

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