Arsenal are interested in a loan deal for Barcelona forward Memphis Depay this summer if the Catalan giants are willing to negotiate it.
That’s according to Sport, who say Barcelona are currently deciding what to do with Depay ahead of a busy summer at the Camp Nou.
They explain that at this moment, there are plenty of reasons for Depay to depart, despite the club being ‘very satisfied’ with his performances this year.
However, their plan is to sign several forwards, and that could leave the Dutchman on the sidelines, something they can’t really afford.
For the time being, Barcelona are not negotiating his future, but Arsenal are the team that have been the ‘most interested’ in his signature.
They are keen on a loan deal, but Barcelona are hoping that they could include Samuel Umtiti as part of the deal as well, which would be ‘advantageous’ in terms of reducing the salary bill at the club.
The priority for Arsenal is Depay, and they could be given their chance to get him sooner rather than later as Barcelona are planning to ‘accelerate the exit operation’ in the coming days.
They want to make two or three sales before June 30th and are focused on sorting out Depay as well as Frenkie de Jong.
They’re the players they can raise the most money from, and they are ‘determined to listen to proposals’ for them.
Depay wants to stay, but that might be taken out of his hands, and there are suitors, including Arsenal, who see him as the ‘reliable option’ to fill their forward line, which is set to lose Alexandre Lacazette.
There have been talks between the two clubs but nothing concrete as yet, although that can change quickly as relations between Arsenal and Barcelona are good after the operation for Pierre Emerick Aubameyang in January.
