The Hague (AFP)
Dutch striker Memphis Depay is about to leave Olympique Lyonnais to join FC Barcelona for 25 million euros, Dutch daily De Telegraaf reported on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old international will meet in Catalonia with his compatriot Frenkie de Jong and coach Ronald Koeman, who made him start in the national team.
"FC Barcelona hope to officially confirm the transfer and introduce Depay to Camp Nou later in the week," De Telegraaf said.
The transfer amount would be 25 million euros according to the daily, plus five million euros at the end of this season, and two million euros in bonuses.
"The association between Memphis Depay and Lionel Messi will be an interesting challenge for Koeman as the two players each shine more in a role of free electron," observes De Telegraaf.
Ronald Koeman was on the hunt for a striker after telling Uruguayan Luis Suarez he wasn't counting on him for the coming season.
Memphis Depay had announced that he did not wish to extend his one-year contract in France and has never hidden his desire to play "for a bigger club" than Olympique Lyonnais.
The interruption of the football championship in France, caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which upset the season's schedule, gave the Dutchman time to recover from an operation on his right knee, after his ligament rupture crossed on December 15.
Olympique Lyonnais reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in August before being eliminated by Bayern Munich (3-0).
© 2020 AFP