MX23RW : Monday, May 6 02:42:16| >> :120:17746:17746:

Atletico Madrid 'considering January move for Memphis Depay'

Atletico Madrid 'considering January move for Memphis Depay'
© Reuters
Barcelona forward Memphis Depay reportedly emerges as a transfer target for Atletico Madrid.

Atletico Madrid are reportedly weighing up a January move for Barcelona forward Memphis Depay.

Diego Simeone's side are expected to be in the market for at least one new attacker during the winter transfer window, as Matheus Cunha is heading for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

There is also speculation surrounding the future of Joao Felix, with the Portugal international seemingly keen to leave Wanda Metropolitano before the end of the January window.

According to Fichajes, Atletico have identified Memphis as a possible acquisition, with the Dutchman's contract at Camp Nou due to expire at the end of the campaign.

The report, though, claims that a deal for the forward is 'complicated', with Barcelona not comfortable letting him move to a La Liga rival at this stage of the season.

Memphis Depay celebrates scoring for Barcelona on September 17, 2022© Reuters

Memphis struggled with injury in the first half of the 2022-23 campaign, which restricted him to just three appearances for Barcelona, scoring once.

The attacker returned to fitness during the 2022 World Cup, though, scoring once in five appearances for the Netherlands at the competition, as Louis van Gaal's side reached the quarter-finals.

Manchester United are believed to be interested in re-signing Memphis, and a recent report claimed that the player was preparing to make a decision on his future.

There have been suggestions that Barcelona would be prepared to let the forward leave on a free transfer next month in order to remove his wages from the budget.

However, the Catalan club's sporting director Jordi Cruyff recently suggested that Memphis could not be allowed to leave the club in the middle of the campaign.

Barcelona's Memphis Depay celebrates scoring against Elche on September 17, 2022© Reuters

"In the end, for example, the situation of Memphis, who has been injured this season and has not been able to be present as much as he wanted and what the team wanted," Cruyff told Mundo Deportivo.

"It is also true that in the games prior to his injury he was playing as a starter and with some pretty nice goals. This thinking every week that you're as good as the last game doesn't make sense. In the end we also have to think about (Robert) Lewandowski being suspended three games today.

"The equations are made, not by Memphis but by anyone, that if a Barca player leaves to bring another you can consider it. But if that's not going to give you the 'fair play' either, then why do it? It makes no sense.

"Now, going back to Memphis, saying that he has always had an impeccable attitude at the level of effort and Xavi will be the first to say it. He always says that he is a player who doesn't cause problems, who always makes an effort to the maximum and when he has had to be there, he has been there and has responded.

"So, today we are not thinking about the exits but about having a competitive team for the second round, with the same line of the first round and Memphis, if he recovers from his injury, and is showing it in the national team, he is a player who can help a lot to any club in which he is."

Atletico are also believed to be tracking Liverpool's Roberto Firmino and Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram ahead of the January transfer window.

ID:502593:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5936:

Memphis Depay future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Memphis Depay

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
France's Marcus Thuram pictured on December 18, 2022
Read Next:
Newcastle to rival Man United for Marcus Thuram?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!