According to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Barça Universal), Barcelona have offered Memphis Depay the opportunity to leave the club in the upcoming January transfer window.
The Dutchman is one of the few players who appear to have no prospect in Xavi’s plans, having fallen out of favour in recent months. He has indeed fallen behind the likes of Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha in the pecking order.
Injuries have not helped him either, with the attacker only recently coming back from a knock, just in time for the FIFA World Cup, though there have been suggestions within the Barça camp that the player had delayed his recovery only to play in the coveted competition.
Nevertheless, the report from Mundo Deportivo suggests Depay has declined Barcelona’s letter of freedom in January. It appears the striker recognises that his contract at Camp Nou is expiring at the end of the season, after which he will be able as a free agent.
To make things worse for Barcelona, interested parties for Depay have found it difficult to pursue the attacker. A majority of the club consider the Dutchman’s salary too expensive, especially in the middle of the season.
This comes as a major blow for Barcelona, who have considered Depay’s sale essential in their bid to further trim the squad and bring in newer players in the January transfer window.
However, all is not lost for the Catalans as they can still hope to sanction the sale of Depay if the attacker makes an impression in the FIFA World Cup.
The former Manchester United starlet had made his breakthrough in the same competition eight years ago. He will be hoping to gain a similar level of success, this time acting as one of the leaders of the Dutch offensive line.