Memphis Depay
The 2022/23 season has been a frustrating one for Memphis Depay. The forward has fallen down the pecking order at FC Barcelona and has found game-time very hard to come by.
Indeed, the Dutchman has played just three times so far this season, although an injury he sustained in September also hampered his situation.
Coming into the New Year, there have been a lot of speculations surrounding his future at Barça. After all, Depay’s contract expires at the end of the season and a renewal is unlikely to be offered.
So, it has been reported that Barcelona would be open to selling him this month, but the player himself is reluctant to leave as he wants to depart as a free agent in the summer.
However, according to a fresh report from SPORT, Depay has grown ‘tired’ of not playing at Barcelona as he believes that he is in better shape, fitness-wise, than some of his other teammates who are getting minutes under Xavi.
As things stand, the 28-year-old is the last option when it comes to attacking rotations, with Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Ansu Fati ahead of him.
Having recovered from injury, Depay had a decent World Cup with the Netherlands in Qatar. But, despite that, he was overlooked by Xavi in the 1-1 draw against Espanyol, even though Barcelona were in need of goals in the latter stages of the match.
The Dutchman is finding this ostracism hard to understand and believes that his lack of game-time is not because of sporting reasons.
The former Manchester United ace has delivered most of the time when called upon, but it seems like the Blaugrana are unwilling to bet on him, despite Xavi insisting that he remains a part of his plans.
Indeed, earlier today at his press conference, the Barcelona boss said: “I don’t want anyone to leave. I’m happy with what I have. Memphis can help us in attack. He will be important and will get minutes.”
Barcelona were open to letting Depay leave in the summer with a letter of freedom but that is no longer an option due to the club’s financial situation. They will only sanction an exit for a transfer fee, amid interest from the teams in England and Italy.
Depay, though, wants to maintain his current wages and believes that it would be easier for him to do so if he left as a free agent in the summer. But with the forward getting tired of his situation, it will be interesting to see if there is a compromise struck for him to leave in January.
[Source: barcauniversal.com]