Premier League side West Ham United have tabled a lucrative offer to land Barcelona forward Memphis Depay, as claimed by Football Insider. The Hammers are looking to strengthen their squad after a successive 21/22 campaign which saw them qualify for the Europa League. The Dutch international now tops the list of West Ham manager David Moyes who highly rates him.
Barcelona have so far conducted heavy business in the transfer market, splashing over €150 million on the acquisition of five players. Robert Lewandowski [€50m], Raphinha [€61m], Jules Kounde [€53m], Andreas Christensen [free] and Frank Kessie [free] have all been signed till now by the Catalans. However, Barcelona face a major problem in the registration of all the signings given their disastrous financial situation.
But a potential sale of top-earners could ease that process for Barcelona and Depay happens to be one of those who ranks higher on the wage-bill.
Premier League return on the cards for Depay with West Ham
West Ham too have been actively recruiting in the transfer, shelling out over €100 million which includes the signing of Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca. However, they still want more and have submitted a massive offer for Depay in a bid to bring him back to the Premier League. The report from Football Insider adds that the Hammers are even ready to make him their highest earner, ahead of Declan Rice and Michail Antonio.
Depay was snapped up by Barcelona last summer on a free transfer after he left Lyon on a two-year deal. The 28-year-old did prove to be a fruitful signing for the Catalans, scoring 13 goals and providing 2 assists in 36 games. But given Barcelona’s dire economic scenario and the attacking additions they have done this summer, Depay is ready to leave the club after just 12 months.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano however has confirmed that Depay would only leave the club on a free transfer after a contract termination. His representatives are now in talks with the club’s administration to find a solution as he looks to sort his future before the deadline day.
While Barca won’t be getting any money if he moves for free, that would still help them clear massive wages of the striker off their books resulting in the registration of new players. On the other hand, it would be interesting to see if Depay contemplates a move to West Ham. He already had a dull experience in England with Manchester United where he could only produce 7 goals and 6 assists in 53 games.
With heavyweights Juventus are also desperate to sign him, Depay might prefer moving to Italy than England. West Ham however have kept their alternative for the Barcelona striker ready in Chelsea’s Armando Broja. Nonetheless, the Spanish side will certainly push Depay into accepting any of the proposals from either of West Ham or Juventus in order to help them with the registration.