Transfer Centre

Memphis Depay 'will leave Barcelona in January window'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 14 January 2023

Barcelona attacker Memphis Depay is reportedly set to leave the club this month, and Atletico Madrid are in talks to sign the attacker.

Barcelona attacker Memphis Depay is reportedly poised to leave the club during the January transfer window.

The Netherlands international ran down his contract with Lyon to join Barcelona on a free transfer in 2021, but his influence on the team has slowly waned.

Depay struck 13 goals and two assists in 38 matches for the Camp Nou giants during his debut season, but he fell down the pecking order in the second half of the season after struggling with injuries.

This season, Depay has only made four appearances for Xavi's side in all tournaments - scoring once - although he was plagued by a serious thigh injury in the autumn.

However, with Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha reinforcing the frontline over the summer, Depay has been persistently linked with a move away from Catalonia in recent months.

Memphis Depay in action for Barcelona in March 2022 © Reuters

The 28-year-old is also only under contract with Barcelona for another six months, meaning that he is able to enter talks with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement before leaving on a free transfer.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Depay will likely leave Xavi's team during the current window, and Atletico Madrid are in talks to sign the unsettled Dutchman.

Diego Simeone's side have allowed Matheus Cunha and Joao Felix to join Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea on loan respectively this month, opening up spots for Depay to arrive.

Romano adds that Depay would be open to a new experience in Atletico colours, although the two parties are yet to reach an agreement and will continue negotiations in the coming weeks.

Depay has totalled 14 goals and two assists from 42 matches in a Barcelona jersey, and he was linked with a return to Manchester United before the Red Devils signed Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley.

Memphis Depay celebrates scoring for Barcelona on September 17, 2022 © Reuters

Arsenal have also been tipped to make a move for the Netherlands international, who was an unused substitute in Barcelona's Supercopa de Espana semi-final win over Real Betis on Thursday.

Xavi insisted that he had not been made aware of any updates on Depay's future earlier this week, telling reporters: "We haven't had a meeting and we don't know anything. I said the other day that if they don't touch the squad I'm happy.

"There are no new developments as far as I know. I haven't seen Mateu [Alemany] or [Joan] Laporta. If there is any news, they will let me know."

As well as Depay, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati's futures at Barcelona are being called into question, and the latter could supposedly be allowed to leave on loan in the current window.

Minutes became harder to come by for Depay at Camp Nou following the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who departed for Chelsea after only spending half a season in La Liga.

However, having only managed three goals for the Blues so far, Aubameyang is said to be desperate for a return to Barcelona, a stance shared by the Catalan club.