Memphis Depay to Chelsea in January: The latest
FT Desk
- Updated: 22 Sept 2022 14:10 BST
- 3 min read
Memphis Depay was linked with a move from Barcelona to Chelsea all summer. Instead, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ended up making the switch from Camp Nou to Stamford Bridge.
Memphis was also variously linked with Manchester United, Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur with Barcelona desperate to balance their books in order to register their new players for the current campaign.
The Catalan giants managed to raise €35 million through player sales, but Memphis ultimately decided to stay, despite now having the €50m Robert Lewandowski for competition in his position.
First ⚽ of the season 👉🦁👈
👀 #LaLigaHighlights
🔥 @Memphis pic.twitter.com/bJ4O99xgvg— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 21, 2022
"In the summer, other clubs came and then you just look at your options, so I decided to fight for my chance at Barcelona," Memphis explained to ESPN. "I love competition and I don't walk away from it. I enjoy being at Barca."
The Dutch international forward has only featured in three games in all competitions so far this season, though, opening his account in Barca's 3-0 win over Elche in La Liga last Saturday.
Interested parties
Chelsea and others are expected to come back in for Memphis in January, with transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano not convinced the player will stay with the Blaugrana.
"It ended up being a bit of a crazy summer for Memphis Depay, but he's ended up staying at Barcelona despite the club being prepared to terminate his contract," he explained in his CaughOffside column.
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"So, what next? I think the Depay situation is still open in the months ahead. He's a great professional and that's why Xavi is playing him, but for January it will depend on the proposals for Memphis.
"At the moment, everything is quiet, and nothing will be decided before the World Cup."
Memphis is rated at €28m by Football Transfers' in-house algorithm, although no fee would need to be paid at all if potential suitors are willing to wait until the end of the season, with the 28-year-old then out of contract.
