Juventus are lining up a move for Barcelona forward Memphis Depay this summer, with Barcelona reportedly willing to let him leave for free as they look to trim their wage bill.
Barcelona have spent £130m on four new players, bringing Jules Kounde, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Pablo Torre to the club. They have also recruited free agents Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen, while their three economic levers have raised over 500m euros to ease their financial issues.
But, as it stands, the Athletic report that they cannot currently register all of their new signings, with La Liga regulations preventing them from doing so due to their current salary cap.
As a result, they are willing to let one of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Memphis Depay depart this summer, which will allow them some relief.
Only one player between Memphis Depay and Pierre Aubameyang will leave Barcelona this summer. 🔵🔴 #FCB
Depay is negotiating free agency with FCB as revealed last week, Memphis will only accept in case of top clubs bid – Juventus among those interested. ⤵️ https://t.co/4u74Oi2jo5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 8, 2022
Juventus closing in on Depay
As per the reliable Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are closing in on signing the Dutch forward, having offered him a two year contract in Turin.
However, the final decision could well lie in Chelsea’s hands, with the Blues having expressed an interest in signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, for whom Barcelona would likely receive a fee.
For now, however, no bid has been forthcoming from the Blues, which leaves the Old Lady growing increasingly confident of landing their man on a free transfer, and in doing so freeing up some room on Barcelona’s wage bill for the Blaugrana to register their summer signings.
It could represent a win all around.
