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Manchester United-linked Memphis Depay responds to transfer speculation

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 22 November 2022

Man United-linked Memphis Depay responds to transfer speculation

Manchester United-linked Memphis Depay says that he 'does not know what will happen after the World Cup' amid the recent speculation surrounding his future at Barcelona.

Memphis Depay has said that he 'does not know what will happen after the World Cup' amid the recent speculation surrounding his future.

The 28-year-old only has little over six months left to run on his contract at Barcelona, and he is not expected to be offered the chance to pen an extension with the Catalan giants.

A recent report claimed that Memphis could be available for little over £4m in the January window, as Xavi's side do not want to lose him on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.

Manchester United have been heavily linked with their former player, while there is also believed to be interest from London in the shape of Arsenal and Chelsea.

Memphis has only played three times for Barcelona this season due to injury, but he was named in the Netherlands squad for the 2022 World Cup.

Netherlands' Memphis Depay in September 2022 © Reuters

The forward was not deemed fit enough to start his country's tournament opener against Senegal on Monday, but he appeared for the final 28 minutes of what proved to be a 2-0 success for Holland.

Memphis said that he is "very happy" to have returned to the field, with the attacker now eyeing a start in his team's next group match against Ecuador on November 25.

"I am very happy to play again. I have needed a long time to reappear. It hasn't been easy mentally, but I've worked hard to get there and I've played half an hour. It's a step. It's incredible to play football again," Memphis told reporters.

"If you don't play well but win 2-0 against the African champion, you can't not be happy, but we have to improve. Now we are happy, but from tomorrow it is time to think about Ecuador. The injury has been hard, but I'm already recovered and I'm enjoying a World Cup."

Barcelona's Memphis Depay celebrates scoring against Elche on September 17, 2022 © Reuters

Memphis has said that he is currently fully focused on the World Cup, but he refused to rule out a move away from Barcelona following the international competition.

"We have a good team that can prove things. I don't want to think about the past, I'm focused on the World Cup. I also don't want to think beyond this competition. I don't know what will happen after the World Cup," he added.

Man United, having now released Cristiano Ronaldo, are believed to be considering moving for their former player when the January transfer window opens for business.

Memphis found it difficult to make his mark during his first spell at Old Trafford between 2015 and 2017, contributing only seven goals and six assists in 53 appearances.

However, the forward enjoyed a successful period at Lyon, scoring 76 goals and registering 55 assists in 178 appearances, before making the move to Barcelona on a free transfer.