Yes, you read that right: €3 million.
Atletico Madrid are close to signing Barcelona outcast Memphis Depay for a nominal fee of around €3 million this January as the Dutchman nears the end of his contract at Camp Nou, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.
The 28-year-old was allowed to miss training Wednesday after the two clubs reached an agreement in principle for his transfer, a source told Agence France-Presse. He's set to sign terms through June 2025, Romano reports.
Depay signed a two-year deal with Barcelona in 2021 following the expiration of his Lyon contract. The attacker has since fallen down the pecking order at Barca - he's appeared just four times across all competitions this term. Now Atleti have pounced for a player who could fill the void left by Joao Felix's loan move to Chelsea.
Atletico Madrid are no stranger to swooping for Barcelona's offcuts. Antoine Griezmann cost Barca €120 million to sign from Atleti in 2019, but he returned to the Wanda Metropolitano on loan before joining for an initial €20-million fee this season. Los Colchoneros also signed Luis Suarez after Barcelona deemed him surplus to requirements, and the Uruguayan was an instant hit as Atletico Madrid captured the 2020-21 La Liga title.
Depay tallied 12 goals and two assists over 28 La Liga appearances during the 2021-22 campaign. He's earned 86 caps for the Netherlands and is seven goals adrift of the men's team's all-time scoring record (Robin van Persie with 50 goals).
