Memphis Depay, another Barça striker who ends up at Atlético de Madrid

pronounced

on Sunday in Almería, after seeing his forwards crash calamitously against

, as they did a week earlier against

.

And, like a prophecy, four days later Cholo already has a new striker in his ranks.

In the umpteenth episode of the transfer of players between Barça and Atlético de Madrid (almost always favorable to the rojiblancos),

will arrive at the Metropolitano, where he will play the remainder of the season and two more.

Once again Atlético fishes in the turbulent and needy waters of Barça.

If a few months ago he managed to 're-sign'

for 20 million euros when a couple of years earlier he had charged for 120 from the same club or in the summer of 2020 he did it for free with

, now it is Depay who takes the airlift.

The rojiblancos will pay just over three million for a striker whose contract ended in June.

To know more

Athletic.

When the goal is the problem: "Correa's is incredible, Morata's..."

• Writing: LUCAS SÁEZ-BRAVO

When the goal is the problem: "Correa's is incredible, Morata's..."

Despite the fact that the season progresses in fits and starts in the Metropolitan, expelled from Europe and prematurely without options in the League, the departures of

to the Premier had exacerbated the need to incorporate troops into Simeone's attack.

The lack of a goal has been the most flagrant problem of a team in a tailspin.

After probing the option of

, Atlético found a favorable scenario in Depay's situation: he barely played for

and would go free in a few months.

So after some quick negotiations that were being finalized this Wednesday, the Dutchman, who was already absent from morning training prior to Thursday's Cup match in Ceuta, will wear rojiblanco.

Barça, which initially wanted a higher amount for the transfer or barter with

, has ended up giving in.

He saves his tab until the end of the season and enters a little over three million to clean up his coffers.

It must be remembered that Depay, who will be 29 years old in a few weeks, arrived free in the summer of 2021 after his departure from Olympique de Lyon, at the request of

.

After a hopeful start as a Barça player, scoring eight goals in the first 16 league games, little by little his performance faded (he finished with 13 goals in 38 games in all competitions), while he was visited by the injuries.

This season has ended outside of Xavi Hernández's plans, harmed by the arrivals of

.

Also behind

in the rotation, he has barely participated in four games, scoring only one goal (against Elche).

The Memphis career, which played the recent World Cup with the Netherlands, takes a new turn.

After exploding at PSV Eindhoven and signing for Manchester United for 34 million after scoring 28 goals in 40 games in the 2014/2015 season, his performance in the Premier was never in line with his promise.

Now, under Simeone's orders, he will look for a new habitat where he can unleash his explosiveness.

Together with Griezmann,

, he will try to save the season for an Atlético team that clings to the Cup as a lifeline and is already seven points behind third place in the League.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

• Atletico Madrid