The investigations that could influence Memphis Depay move to Barca

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The investigations that could influence Memphis Depay move to Barca

D-Pay / | sport

His agency have been involved in some curious deals that are being looked at

Stefan de Vrij went to Inter from Lazio as a free agent in July 2018, with Barca, Atletico and Zenit among the sides interested. A Follow The Money investigation that SPORT has accessed showed they club paid 7.5 million euros for him, but the player says he has not seen the money and that Lazio let him go for free. That turns attention to his agents at the time, the Sport Entertainment Group (SEG). The Dutchman later broke it off with them and joined Mino Raiola’s stable.

This is something FIFA say happens often. Another case being investigated is Thomas Vermaelen. The Dutchman, represented by SEG, left Barca in 2019 for Vissel Kobe as a free agent, signing on for two and a half years for no cost.

However documents show that Kobe paid 950k for the deal to SEG and will pay an extra 300k at the end o his contract, but not to the player.

A case that ended up in court, among the reasons being that it took place behind his back. At the hearing, the prosecution lawyers claim that the agency “took €750,000 from the player", something that SEG denies.

After the incident, Vermaelen and the company broke their bond, in the same way that a total of 223 players have done since 2018. A source close to Vermaelen tells FTM during the investigation that “Thomas doesn't want to talk about it. He was very affected, it was very hard for him.”

SEG is one of the 20 most influential agencies in the world and have Daley Blind, Marten de Room and Memphis Depay on their books. The latter is out of contract at the end of the season and linked with Barca. Ronald Koeman is a fan.

As the chief of the company in Spain, was Simone Rondanini, someone whom is currently in litigation claiming money for his work done there, and who is now not linked to them. Rondanini also helped seal Jasper Cillessen’s move to Valencia from Barca in 2019.

The De Vrij investigation showed the agents negotiated clauses of 200k for each six months of his contract, 7.5 per cent of a future sale and a wage ceiling for the player, all without his knowledge.

SEG deny the accusations. Their next big plan is to help Depay get to Barcelona...

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