Depay made huge sacrifices to sign for Barça

Memphis is a Barça player because he really wanted to be one. The Dutch international, who has got off to a fantastic start at FC Barcelona, needed to make significant financial sacrifices in order to sign for the club and make his dream come true.

Depay did everything he could to sign for the club last summer. Ronald Koeman had asked for him specifically and it took Barça's sporting directors less than a week to reach an agreement with the player, who only had one year left on his contract with French side Lyon. However, Barça's financial situation meant that the deal couldn't go through, despite a willingness from all sides. When the deal fell through, Depay gave the club his word that he would do whatever it takes to sign for FC Barcelona, and he kept his promise.

In January 2021, Memphis received an offer from Serie A side Juventus that was attractive on both a sporting and economic level. However, Memphis was not swayed by the offer and he decided to stay at Lyon and see out the rest of his deal. Even when Inter Milan offered the player 50% more than Barça were offering, and despite Joan Laporta informing him that he couldn't offer him the same terms that he had agreed to months before, he remained determined to sign for Barça.

Memphis' base salary is relatively low for a player of his quality. However, it is loaded with various performance-related bonuses such as goals scored, matches played and titles won. If he plays to his full potential and has a decisive impact on the pitch, he will be able to earn much more. His situation contrasts greatly with that of young midfielder Ilaix Moriba, who the club cannot afford to re-sign unless he lowers his demands.

A two-year deal...with an asterisk

Memphis, acutely aware of the financial difficulties facing FC Barcelona, only signed a two-year deal with the club. However, under no circumstances does he want his time at the club to come to an end on 30 June 2023. His aim is to remain at the club for four or five years, but during negotiations with Barça's directors an agreement was reached for him to sign a short-term deal which will be reviewed next year. The club is confident that if things continue to go well - and depending on his performance and Barça's financial situation - he will sign a new contract with the club.