Depay considered shock return before Atletico Madrid transfer

Karan Tejwani

• 1 Feb 2023 19:15 GMT
• 2 min read

Memphis Depay completed a move from Barcelona to Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window, ending a one-and-a-half year stay with the Blaugrana.

Depay was frustrated in the first half of the season at Barcelona after seeing opportunities at the club limited over the course of the season.

He was angling for a move away all season to get more regular playing time and after plenty of speculation, he finally earned a move to Barcelona’s La Liga rivals.

READ: Why Memphis Depay asked to leave Barcelona - Xavi

However, there was a move to the Netherlands on the cards and a return to his former club, PSV, who were open to bringing him back.

Memphis considered PSV return

PSV have been depleted in attack following the departure of Cody Gakpo to Liverpool in the winter transfer window and needed a replacement.

It’s believed that when interest was shown, Depay was open to the idea of returning to the club, where he started off his professional career.

READ: Barcelona offered Chelsea star as Depay replacement

Depay’s first stint at PSV was a successful one as he won the Eredivisie title in 2015 before making a move to Manchester United that year.

In total, he scored 49 goals in 124 appearances for PSV and won three major trophies with the Dutch side before his move to the Premier League.

He even earned a call-up to the Dutch national team for the World Cup in 2014 where he had a positive summer under Louis van Gaal’s management.

Over the last year, Depay was linked to various moves, with clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham interested in him before he sealed a move to Atletico Madrid.

He was disappointed with how far behind he had fallen in the pecking order at Barcelona as Robert Lewandowski’s signing reduced his game time significantly.

At Atletico Madrid, he’ll be hoping to get more game time alongside the likes of Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann and will want to get back to his very best.