Liverpool target ‘disastrous’ Man Utd signing who could provide cover for Salah and Mane
Liverpool and Everton are two of three teams interested in signing unsettled Barcelona forward Memphis Depay, according to a report in Spain.
Holland international Depay has only been in Catalonia since the summer, but already he is said to be looking for a way out. The 27-year-old was a free-transfer signing from Lyon by old Barca boss Ronald Koeman. But since the arrival of Xavi at the helm, Depay has reportedly found life more difficult due “to the change in the system of the new coach”.
Todo Fichajes via Caught Offside claims Xavi’s ideas “damage the performance of the international” and Depay “is already think about looking for a new destination”.
Furthermore, three clubs are “interested” in the former Manchester United flop.
The Merseyside pair are joined by Juventus, who are named as the player’s preferred destination.
Juve tried to sign the player when he left France in the summer, but Barca beat them to the deal. He is said to favour a move to Serie A rather than return to the Premier League where he had a “disastrous” spell between 2015-17.
Depay scored just seven goals in 53 games for United after signing from PSV Eindhoven for a fee of around £25m.
He left in January 2017 for Lyon for a fee rising to £22m.
His market value now, according to the source, is around the €45m mark. But, because he was a free-transfer signing Barca are prepared to accept around €30m.
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Depay can cover, but Klopp hopeful over duo
A transfer in the January market is the target and Liverpool may well be looking for cover next month.
Both Sadio Mane and Mo Salah are away at the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament runs from January 9 to February 6 in Cameroon.
Under FIFA rules the pair can join up with their respective countries after Boxing Day.
But Jurgen Klopp is confident that an agreement can be reached with Egypt and Senegal to delay the pair’s departures.
“It’s not decided yet. I am an optimistic person, so I hope so. But it’s not written in stone and not completely in our hands,” said Klopp recently.
The pair could well miss the two crucial Premier League games with Leicester and Chelsea. And if that is the case then Klopp may look to strengthen his attack in the next window.
READ MORE: Liverpool set to ‘open talks’ soon for crucial deal in tandem with priority task
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