Barcelona negotiations with Memphis Depay ongoing

Barcelona are talking terms with Memphis Depay
Barcelona are talking terms with Memphis Depay / Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images
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Barcelona have accelerated their negotiations with Lyon forward Memphis Depay, but a move to the club could hinge on Ronald Koeman's future at Camp Nou.

Koeman was keen to buy Depay last summer and has continued to push for his signature on a free transfer this time around, but club officials are thought to prefer the idea of signing Manchester City's Sergio Aguero for free and splashing out on someone like Dortmund's Erling Haaland.

A large part of the Spanish media feel as though Koeman will not be in charge next season, but just in case the Dutchman does remain at Camp Nou, Barcelona are keen to get a head-start on their transfer business.

Depay is close to the top of Koeman's wish list, and Sky Sports' Matteo Moretto has revealed that talks with the Lyon forward have advanced, with the idea of a short-term contract of two or three years now on the table.

The two parties are yet to reach an agreement - something also stressed by L'Equipe - but there is a confidence that a positive outcome is not far away.

Ronald Koeman
Koeman hopes to bring Depay to Camp Nou / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Part of the stumbling block is Barcelona's desire to hand Depay a comparatively small salary which would then be significantly boosted through performance-related add-ons, so things are a little trickier than a traditional negotiation.

Even if an agreement is reached, nothing will be finalised until a decision on Koeman is made. It's suggested that Depay's chances of moving to Barcelona hinge on the manager's future, which is an entirely different conundrum.

Depay's camp have refused to comment on the situation, but the 27-year-old did take to Instagram to post a cryptic message about his future.

"It is time for me to take control of my career," he wrote. "As I have come to a point where I need to make important choices about my future, I have decided to negotiate my future deals together with my team of trusted confidants, backed by legal experts.

"I will decide about my destination myself. You will be the first to know."


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