Agreement reached: Barcelona to sign Depay if Koeman stays as coach

Posted Friday, May 14, 2021 by Marca.com

In a move that has been in the pipeline ever since Ronald Koeman took over as Barcelona coach, Memphis Depay and the Catalan club have reached an agreement on terms for him to sign with the LaLiga Santander giants. However, this is assuming there isn't a change at the coaching position.

Koeman's job security has been up and down since Joan Laporta was elected as the club's new president, taking over from the Josep Maria Bartomeu administration who appointed the Dutchman.

If Laporta does decide to make a change in the dugout then this would shake up the Depay situation and there would be a need to resume talks.

Depay will be a free agent in June and, given that he wants to work with Koeman, he has cut his salary demands to join his countryman at Barcelona next season.

The Dutch coach knows Depay's skillset very well and has been adamant since last summer that he should be signed.

He is a centre-forward who has the requisite abilities to play from a wide position, and he scores a lot of goals.

Other attacking targets

Even if Depay's deal is completed, there isn't any suggestion that the door would then be closed to the signing of an additional forward.

The Blaugrana are in a uniquely difficult financial situation, although one of their own making, and the current administration needs to fully assess the finances available before finalising targets for the summer transfer window.

Neymar's renewal at Paris Saint-Germain has taken a possible return for the Brazilian off the table, whilst Erling Haaland remains a high-profile, but high-cost, target.

This is why the club are appearing to prioritise players who are going to be available on a free transfer, with Eric Garcia joining the club and it seeming like Depay could follow suit.