Juventus are looking to inflict another free transfer upset on Barcelona as they plan to hijack the Catalans’ move for the outgoing Lyon star Memphis Depay. As claimed by Spanish publication Marca, the Bianconeri are ready to outbid the Spanish giants and steal the ex-Manchester United flop right under their noses.
Barcelona looked to be in pole position to sign Georginio Wijnaldum on a free transfer after it became clear the Dutchman won’t extend his deal at Liverpool. However, the 30-year-old turned down the prospect of landing at Camp Nou at the 11th hour to sign a three-year contract at Paris Saint-Germain.
With the financial uncertainty surrounding the club, the newly-elected president Joan Laporta has made the signings of free agents his top priority. The Catalan politician is determined to help cash-strapped Barcelona get out of sizeable debt as soon as possible, switching the club’s transfer policy to cheaper solutions.
After missing out on Wijnaldum’s signature, the Blaugrana are keen to snap up Depay, who is on the verge of leaving the Groupama Stadium on a free. Ronald Koeman admires his compatriot big time and is desperate to pair him up with the club talisman Lionel Messi and Barcelona’s marquee summer signing Sergio Aguero in the front third.
Koeman tried to take Depay away from Ligue 1 last summer, but Barca’s financial incapacity prevented the deal from happening. Although the La Liga juggernauts long felt confident of capturing the 27-year-old, their economic struggles could come back to haunt them again this summer.
Juventus are aiming to spoil Barcelona’s hopes of reinforcing their attack with the Netherlands superstar. Massimiliano Allegri wants to revamp his attacking options in the upcoming transfer window and has identified Depay as the right fit for his system.
With Juve boasting a way better financial state than Barcelona, the latter’s efforts to sign one of the Ligue 1 headline performers will hinge on their ability to offload one of Ousmane Dembele or Philippe Coutinho.