Tottenham have ‘officially taken the step’ to sign Barcelona forward Memphis Depay, according to reports.
Depay joined the La Liga giants on a free transfer from Lyon last year, but only signed a two-year deal, meaning he would be available for free again next summer.
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The 28-year-old has a superb record for his country, netting 42 times in 80 appearances for the Netherlands, and Antono Conte is looking to take advantage of Barcelona’s financial woes to bring the forward to the Premier League.
Depay won’t have particularly fond memories of the English top flight having notched just seven goals and six assists in 53 games in all competitions for United after his £30m move from PSV Eindhoven in 2015.
But with the arrivals of Raphinha, and likely Robert Lewandowksi, at the Nou Camp, the Catalan giants are thought to want to recoup some of those funds through the sale of Depay, who will be down the pecking order under Xavi next season.
Depay is said to have been brought up in dicussions as Spurs secured a deal for centre-back Clement Lenglet from Barcelona, and in the ‘last few hours’, according to Sport (via Sport Witness), the north London club have ‘officially taken the step’ to sign the 28-year-old.
Spurs are in talks with Depay’s representatives but the report claims they are not ready to meet Barcelona’s €20m valuation, but are ‘willing to pay’ €17m for the Dutchman.
Like Frenkie de Jong, Depay wants to remain with the La Liga side and is particularly reluctant to return to England, but has been told he’s surplus to requirements by the Barca bosses.
Meanwhile, former United defender Mikael Silvestre believes Spurs have an advantage over Arsenal in the race for the top four.
“For me, the final top four will be the same as last season. So, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham,” Silvestre said.
“Spurs have signed some good players and Conte is a winning machine wherever he goes. Spurs certainly have the upper hand over Arsenal, we have to be realistic.
“The Arsenal fans can be worried, that’s for sure, because it’s his full second season and he’s had his frustrations but when all the players train with him, they get results.”
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