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Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona, the leaders of the Spanish Football League, and its compatriot, Atletico Madrid, have reached an “initial agreement” for the transfer of the first Dutch international striker, Memphis Depay, to the second ranks, according to a source in the Catalan club, Agence France-Presse, on Wednesday.
“This morning we reached a preliminary agreement for the transfer of Memphis Depay to Atletico. We are finalizing the final details,” the source said.
And the Spanish media indicated that the value of the deal amounts to three million euros, noting that the Dutch international will join the ranks of Atletico Madrid until June 2025, that is, for a period of two and a half years.
The source confirmed to Agence France-Presse that the former French Olympique Lyon and Manchester United striker was absent from group training on Wednesday afternoon at Barcelona’s training center, explaining that “the player obtained a permit to be absent.”
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said in a press conference early this afternoon before the last preparatory training session to face its host Atletico Ceuta from the third degree in the price of the final of the local cup competition, “At the moment, I have no news about Memphis. He is still a player in Barcelona.” “He always brings something, he’s an extraordinary person. I have no news at all, we’ll see what happens.”
“But in principle, I count on everyone to play Thursday’s match in Ceuta,” he added.
He continued, “We will discuss with him today (Wednesday) to see. It is his decision. To leave or not to leave, I understand that it is not easy for him, he does not play. But I will talk to him today.”
Depay suffered a thigh injury between October and November, and coach Xavi did not involve him much since the start of the season (he played four matches and scored one goal), so he expressed his desire to leave the Catalan club this winter.
Atletico Madrid quickly showed great interest in Depay, but the amount initially requested by the Blaugrana club (6 or 7 million euros) was very high, before it was finally reduced following negotiations between the two clubs.
Depay joined Barcelona on July 1, 2021, from Lyon, on a free transfer. Last season (2021-2022) he scored 13 goals with two assists in 38 games.
© 2023 AFP
