Arsenal are reportedly among the clubs ‘interested’ in FC Barcelona forward Memphis Depay, who will be sold if an ‘attractive’ offer comes in.
The Dutchman previously had a spell at Man Utd. A year-and-a-half after joining the club, he left to sign for Lyon on a permanent basis.
Depay was a standout player for the French side up until the end of the 2020/21 campaign. His performances in Ligue 1 tempted Barcelona to bring him in last year.
Six times Liverpool and Man Utd have fought over players before Darwin Nunez
The 28-year-old has scored 13 goals in 38 outings for Barcelona. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s arrival hampered Depay as the ex-Arsenal man was favoured by Xavi.
It was claimed last month that Depay is available for £17m this summer. His contract is due to expire next year.
Spanish outlet Sport (via Sport Witness) are reporting that Barcelona will ‘opt for his sale if there is an attractive proposal that suits all parties’.
Arsenal and other clubs are ‘interested’ in the attacker. He ‘wants to stay’ at Barcelona, but he will be keen to play regularly in the lead up to this winter’s World Cup.
It is noted that Barcelona are ‘looking to sign’ Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowki and Leeds United winger Raphinha. To make this happen, ‘they will have to let go some of their attackers’.
Elsewhere, Stan Collymore thinks Man City forward Gabriel Jesus should choose to join Chelsea over Arsenal:
“But let’s say Arsenal get him, my general worry and concern about Arsenal, as ever, is could we trust Mikel Arteta to get the best out of Jesus, could he be the manager who makes him fulfil his potential, if Pep Guardiola couldn’t? I don’t think so.
“But if he goes to Chelsea he could be the player Romelu Lukaku was promised to be but wasn’t. At Chelsea, they create loads of chances, they will stick the ball in the box. Jesus can be the fox in the box I’ve so often said they need. If Jesus just concentrated on doing some really good work in the box, he could be that man.
“At Arsenal, with the support cast they have, which is still two rookies in Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka — and we don’t know for sure that they will still be wearing Gunners shirts in two years’ time, with Saka being linked with Liverpool and City — if I was Jesus I would be thinking of myself in the blue shirt at Stamford Bridge.”
