Atletico Madrid have reportedly reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign forward Memphis Depay on a permanent deal this month.
The 28-year-old has fallen out of favour in Catalonia since the arrivals of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha over the summer and has also been hampered with injuries so far this season.
Indeed, Depay has featured only four times for Barca across all competitions, scoring just once, and has struggled to regain his place in the first team under head coach Xavi.
Xavi stated earlier this month that he is keen for Depay to stay with the club, telling reporters: "I don't want anyone to leave. Memphis can help us in attack. He will be important and he will get minutes."
However, it now appears that the Netherlands international is on the verge of departing Barca, just 18 months after joining the club from Lyon on a free transfer.
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According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Atletico are close to finalising a deal to sign Depay on a permanent basis for a fee between €3m (£2.6m) and €4m (£3.5m).
Romano adds that Depay is set to undergo his medical in the Spanish capital and will put pen to paper on a contract until the summer of 2025.
The likes of Manchester United, Newcastle United and PSV Eindhoven have also been linked with Depay, but Romano states that the Dutchman only has eyes on a move to Atletico.
Atletico have been in the market for a new attacker since allowing Joao Felix to join Chelsea on loan until the end of the season.
Matheus Cunha also left the club earlier this month to join Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan with an obligation to buy for around €50m next summer.
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Diego Simeone's side now appear to have struck a deal with Barca to sign Depay for a cut-price fee, with his contract at Camp Nou due to expire in less than six months' time.
Prior to his struggles this season, Depay made a solid start to life at Barcelona, scoring 12 goals in in 28 La Liga appearances.
The forward previously recorded 76 goals and 55 assists in 178 games for Lyon between 2017 and 2021, and he has also notched up 43 strikes in 86 appearances for the Netherlands.
Elsewhere, Atletico are also said to be keeping tabs on Man United's Victor Lindelof, Celtic's Josip Juranovic and Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat.
Oliver Thomas
