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According to Fabrizio Romano, FC Barcelona are close to sealing the signing of Memphis Depay. Depay has been linked with the La Liga giants since the 2020 summer transfer window. He narrowly missed out on signing for Barcelona last summer.
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman is keen to reunite with Depay, having worked with him during his tenure with the Dutch national team. But there is a question mark over his ability to deliver in one of Europe's toughest leagues.
Memphis Depay previously failed in the Premier League with Manchester United. It surely raises questions over his ability to play in tougher leagues.
Memphis Depay not an ideal signing for Barcelona
#3. The Spanish league is tougher than the French league
Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette are two examples of French league players finding it tough in another league's playing style. Nicolas Pepe scored 22 goals in the 2018-2019 French league season, after which Arsenal signed him with a club-record fee of 79 million euros ($89 million).
He failed to live up to the hype as he only scored 5 Premier League goals in his debut season.
Apart from Pepe, before his arrival his current Arsenal team-mate Alexandre Lacazette also failed to deliver after his hype in the French league. After scoring 28 goals in 2016-17 for Lyon, Lacazette signed for Arsenal for £47.70 million in 2017.
He failed to carry forward his form as he only managed to score 14 goals from 32 Premier League games that season.
These recent transfers don't mean Depay can't perform in the Spanish League. Sure he can, he's a talented player. However, given the history of recent transfers from the French league, it really shows that the French league lacks competitiveness compared to other major European leagues.
Players have struggled in the past coming from the French League. Is it worth it for FC Barcelona to take a risk with Depay during a struggling period at the club?
#2. Memphis Depay over Antoine Griezmann?
Antoine Griezmann and Memphis Depay are similar kinds of players. Both can play as a striker and a winger. Antoine Griezmann signed for FC Barcelona for a whopping €120 million in July 2019. Since then Griezmann has found it difficult to find his feet and deliver up to his expectations.
Griezmann has shown glimpses of his talent this season. He is now more familiar with Koeman's style. Surely the 2021-22 season could be his season. With reports coming out that FC Barcelona are close to signing Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero. FC Barcelona is ready to offload him, according to Daily Mail UK.
Surely signing Memphis Depay could be the final nail in the coffin for Griezmann's Barcelona career.
#1. History of Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay joined Premier League giants Manchester United in 2015. There were loads of expectations from him after scoring 22 league goals in 30 games for PSV. He failed miserably after just scoring 2 Premier League goals in 29 games for the Red Devils in his debut season.
He was sold to Olympique Lyonnais on 20 January 2017, after often being criticized for his behavior. One of the incidents that Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney shared was how Depay ignored his advice. During an interview with The Times in 2018, Rooney said:
“Memphis? He came on at Stoke away and messed up for their goal so Louis Van Gaal made him play for the reserves the next day," Rooney told The Times.
"I said, ‘Look, it’s a bit difficult [for you]. Just don’t come in with all your fancy stuff.’
"And he turned up for the reserve game in his Rolls-Royce, wearing a leather jacket and a cowboy hat. And I just thought, ‘What’s the point?’
"But Memphis is a lovely lad and it’s good to see things going well for him now."
After Rooney's comments, Memphis Depay was quick to respond on Twitter. Which didn't go as well, as he faced backlash for disrespecting Wayne Rooney.
Memphis Depay has improved a lot in recent years. He is a more complete player now. He has scored 19 league goals for Lyon in 35 games this season. Depay can do wonders for FC Barcelona. But is it worth the risk for FC Barcelona?. The question remains: Is Depay good enough for FC Barcelona?.
