Report: Atletico Madrid to Sign Barcelona Forward Memphis Depay
The Dutch international has made only two appearances in La Liga this season after scoring 12 goals last year.
Netherlands star Memphis Depay is set to trade one La Liga power for another with a move from Barcelona to Atlético Madrid.
According to ESPN, Atlético Madrid agreed to a fee that could rise to more than €4 million ($4.3 million) for the 28-year-old, whose contract with Barcelona was set to expire this summer.
After scoring 12 La Liga goals in 28 games last season for Barcelona, Depay fell down the depth chart at the club following the arrivals of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Raphinha over the last year. The former Manchester United forward has made only two league appearances this season.
“If it was solely down to me, I would not let anyone leave, but I can understand it’s not easy for him,” Barcelona manager Xavi said in a press conference Wednesday, per ESPN. “He is not playing as much as he would like.”
With the move for Depay, Atlético fills a void in Diego Simeone’s attack after the loan departures of João Félix to Chelsea and Matheus Cunha to Wolves. Atlético Madrid currently sits tied for fourth in the La Liga table.
Depay has been a staple in the Dutch national team since 2013, logging 43 goals in 86 internationals appearances. He last scored for the Netherlands in the round of 16 at the World Cup last month against the United States.