Memphis Depay wants to leave Barcelona in the summer at all costs, reports Le Quotidien† According to the French newspaper, the 28-year-old striker has contacted Peter Bosz to discuss a return to Olympique Lyon. With the World Cup in Qatar approaching at the end of this year, Depay needs playing minutes in order to maintain his base place under Louis van Gaal.
The marriage between Depay and Barcelona has cooled seriously within six months. The attacker closed the door to Lyon last summer to sign a free transfer at the Camp Nou. Depay was eager to work again with Ronald Koeman, with whom he had also been successful with the Dutch national team. Depay started the season hopeful, but was disappointed to see Koeman sacked at the end of October due to the poor results.
Depay also remained the first striker under his successor Xavi, but that was also born of necessity: Barcelona had hardly any attacking options due to the narrow selection and the injuries of Martin Braithwaite, Ansu Fati and Sergio Aguero. Depay failed to convince Xavi in five games and suffered a lingering hamstring injury in his last game of 2021, on December 8 against Bayern Munich. With 8 goals (including 3 penalties) in 23 matches, Depay is still the club’s top scorer this season.
It turned out in the winter transfer period that Xavi and Joan Laporta are not satisfied with Depay. Barca used all their financial means for attacking reinforcements: Ferran Torres, Adama Traoré and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came in. What further reduces the playing opportunities for Depay is the resurrection of Luuk de Jong, of whom Xavi was initially not supposed to know. After a few decisive goals, De Jong is taken seriously again. Depay briefly returned from his injury in January, but suffered a relapse after two short appearances. With the attacker only signed for two seasons with Barca, he probably won’t have to fetch the top prize.
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