Tottenham Hotspur eye free transfer for Barcelona target Memphis Depay

By Kyle Archer

According to FC Inter News, Tottenham Hotspur have entered the race to sign Lyon forward Memphis Depay this summer.

Depay will leave his Ligue 1 side when his contract expires at the end of the month. He was expected to join Barcelona but is yet to reach an agreement with the La Liga giants.

The Dutchman now has other options on the table with Tottenham and Inter Milan keen. Marca also cited Liverpool as a potential destination in March but note Barca boss Ronald Koeman has coveted his compatriot’s arrival for the past year.

Barcelona is also Depay’s preferred destination, although Fabrizio Romano has claimed he is keeping his options open. Koeman leaving the Camp Nou amid doubt in his future could see the 27-year-old have a change of heart.

Doing so would now serve as a boost for Tottenham and the manager who replaces Jose Mourinho in north London. Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy may, however, still have to contend with competition from Inter Milan for the departing Lyon captain.

The Serie A champions have already held preliminary discussions with Depay’s representatives to discuss a move to the San Siro. They were also informed the 62-cap forward would demand a three-year €5million-a-season (£83k-p/w) contract.

Depay would additionally like his deal, that would be worth a combined £13m, to include a one-year extension clause. But Inter’s interest would hinge on selling Lautaro Martinez first amid interest from Real Madrid, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid

TBR’s view: Tottenham should sign Depay

Depay would offer Levy a phenomenal signing given Tottenham can sign the Dutchman for free. His salary demands, while competitive, would also not be an issue based on Spurs’ current payroll figures per Spotrac.

The forward is coming off a prolific season with Lyon after netting 22 goals and penning 12 assists. His goal involvements directly led to six wins and two draws, as well. He will now be expected to take that form into Euro 2020 to continue his run of scoring or assisting in five-straight international games that took his tallies to 23-goals, 22-assists.

Koeman also lauded Depay while in charge of the Netherlands. Stating via FourFourTwo: “He has freedom here, that’s what he needs to be the best Memphis. He can do that in this team.

“When he’s a lone striker he tends to drift back too much, so we have a hole up front. But when he plays between the lines, he was so strong. He’s turning, attacking, he’s a joy to watch.”

Depay would be able to play in between the lines at Tottenham with support from Heung-Min Son and co. He would blend well with Harry Kane, too, if Levy can convince him to stay. While midfielders like Dele Alli, Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele would thrive with him to pick out in attack.