Atlético Madrid: Felix’s replacement is at Barça!

Memphis Depay could join the ranks of Atlético Madrid during the winter transfer window. The Barca striker could replace Joao Felix, whose signing for Chelsea is imminent.

According to information disclosed by SportItalia, Atlético Madrid have an idea of ​​the name of Joao Felix’s replacement. Diego Simeone’s club would make Memphis Depay their priority to replace the Portuguese striker. An appointment would be scheduled in the coming days to discuss the possibility of a loan. Barça could respond favorably: the Catalans would like to reduce the amount of their payroll. Depending on his performance, the Colchoneros could then try to sign him for free at the end of the season. The player is indeed at the end of his contract with the Blaugrana club.

Depay has been pushed out for several months

28-year-old Memphis Depay signed for Barcelona in the summer of 2021. Free of any contract after the end of his commitment with OL, the Dutchman had made salary efforts to join the ranks of the formation then coached by Ronald Koeman. The arrival of Xavi, however, undermined his hopes. The player finished the 2021-2022 season as a substitute, although he scored 12 goals and provided 3 assists in 28 La Liga games. His second year didn’t start much better. The native of Moordrecht has accumulated physical glitches to the point of having appeared only 4 times on the lawns, in all competitions.

The former Lyonnais has been pushed out since last summer. During the summer transfer window, no club had agreed to put the money requested by Barça and the player on the table to recruit him. It now remains to be seen if Barca are willing to let him go just to save his salary. The situation of Joan Laporta’s club is such that its leaders could validate this idea. La Liga recently slapped him with three fines (two of which were upheld on appeal) for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.