Barcelona coach Koeman wants the signing of Memphis Depay

Barcelona coach Koeman wants the signing of Memphis Depay

Rudi García se pronuncia sobre la posible salida de Depay al Barça / | Perform

It's a difficult deal to do but the Catalan club aren't ruling anything out

Luis Suarez's transfer to Atletico Madrid has left Ronald Koeman's Barcelona without a player with experience and goals. The Barça coach insisted after hammering Villarreal that he would like to strengthen as a result. Lyon's Memphis Depay is the player he would like. Koeman wants to close the squad with one more signing and the Dutch attacker is his preference. 

Koeman said after the Villarreal win that it's always good to have more options in attack after Barça were left without an out and out Nio.9. Without Suarez and with Martin Braithwaite as the only potential No.9, Koeman feels a profile similar to the Uruguayan striker would help throughout the season. 

During his four games in charge (three friendlies), Koeman's tried different options. Antoine Griezmann as a No.9, Messi as a false nine. So he has options but he still believes another alternative is needed. 

Memphis' name has been on the table for weeks. Koeman, along with Ramon Planes, the Barça sporting director, has let the club know that signing the Lyon man, after the arrival of Sergiño Dest, would be the icing on the cake and set up a really promising season despite all the problems off the pitch. 

Right now, though, Barcelona are not able to do the deal financially and would need to include a player to get it done. There are options in that sense but the big hurdle is Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas. However, he may change his mind about selling Memphis with the risk of him leaving for free next summer when his contract expires. 

 

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