In a recent report, Marca has stated that Barcelona have ‘reached agreement’ with Olympique Lyonnais forward Memphis Depay who will become a free agent at the end of this campaign. It is understood that the Dutch attacker is willing to take a pay-cut to join the Catalan giants this summer (via Marca).
Depay’s Consistent Form For Lyon This Season
It has been another outstanding season for the 27-year-old in French football as he has put in a run of match-winning performances as the spearhead of Lyon’s attack. Depay has been involved in 38 matches for the French outfit this term, scoring 21 goals and grabbing ten assists in multiple competitions.
The Moordrecht-born talent has been remarkably consistent with his all-around contributions in the final third based on his average of 2.9 shots, 2.6 key passes and 2.0 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Ligue 1 this season. However, he can still improve his accuracy when distributing possession deep inside the opponent’s half, as evidenced by his pass success rate of 76.5% in league football (stats via whoscored).
At 27, Depay is playing some of his best football, so Barca can expect to get the best out of him if they can successfully lure him to the Nou Camp in this off-season. He has already established himself as a top goal-scorer in France that makes him a good option for Ronald Koeman to consider ahead of the new campaign.
What Will Depay Add To Ronald Koeman’s Team?
Depay is blessed with electric pace that helps him to breeze past his marker in the attacking end of the field. He loves to make a few late runs behind the opposition backline and has transformed himself into a decent finisher in the final third.
The 62-time Netherlands international is a specialist from dead-ball situations and can deliver some promising crosses into the opponent’s penalty area. He has also got a good work ethic and ticks all the right boxes in terms of what Koeman wants from his midfielders.
Depay will undeniably add plenty of goals and creativity to Barca’s attack that has sometimes struggled to bang in the goals this season. The Dutch speedster knows Koeman well from their time together with the Dutch national team, so he won’t have any trouble setting into his playing style at Catalonia. He could also ease the blow of losing Lionel Messi if the Catalans fail to keep the Argentine winger at the Nou Camp beyond the end of this campaign.
