Pranav Kannan
Atletico Madrid join Manchester United in Memphis Depay race
According to popular Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Atletico Madrid have entered the race for talented Dutch forward Memphis Depay from Barcelona and want to sign him on a loan deal.
Manchester United have been linked with a move for their former player for quite some time now. Depay is also said to prefer a move to United until now but the entry of Atletico could change that decision.
Depay has less than six months left on his deal at Barcelona with his contract expiring in the summer (Transfermarkt). He is likely to be available on a cut-price deal and teams are looking to take advantage of this.
The former Olympique Lyon man joined Barcelona on a free transfer last summer. After a sensational start to life as a player in Spain under Ronald Koeman, Depay has fallen down the pecking order under Xavi Hernandez.
The arrivals of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Raphinha have all meant that Depay has been reduced to a bit-part role in Barcelona. Injuries have certainly not helped his cause with the Dutchman suffering sustained spells on the sidelines.
Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Chelsea to loan out Joao Felix for the rest of the season. The Portuguese forward is on his way to Stamford Bridge and this has opened the door for another forward’s arrival at the Wanda.
Depay is one of the options on Atletico’s list to replace Felix. Now that there is genuine interest from another club, it remains to be seen if Man United step up their pursuit of trying and signing the Barcelona man.
The Red Devils are closing in on the signing of another Dutchman in Wout Weghorst on loan. However, Depay is a completely different forward to the Burnley man and it would be good to have both of them in the squad.
More Manchester United News
- Mikael Silvestre singles out the main reason behind the defensive resurgence at Manchester United
- Enrique Cerezo admits Joao Felix could stay at Atletico Madrid amidst Manchester United interest
- Bayern Munich join Manchester United in the race for Eintracht Frankfurt and France forward Randal Kolo Muani
Depay would be a good squad player to have. Atletico are also in the race now and Barcelona are likely to let him leave to the more financially tempting offer. Let’s see what the Red Devils do regarding this situation.
