Newcastle United in ‘pole position’ to land £10m rated former Manchester United star

Newcastle United are reportedly leading the chase to sign Barcelona and Netherlands star Memphis Depay.

The former Manchester United forward had enjoyed something of a renaissance in his career after scoring 76 goals and providing 55 assists in just 178 appearances during a four-year stay with French club Lyon prior to a free transfer switch to Barcelona in the summer of 2021.

Depay enjoyed a promising start to his time at the Camp Nou, hitting double figures during his first season in La Liga but has found the going tough during the current campaign. Prior to his selection as part of Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands squad at the World Cup Finals, Depay had made just three appearances in all competitions as a thigh injury limited his involvement. Speaking after Holland’s group stage win against Senegal, Depay reflected on his comeback from the injury and gave a small hint on when he could make a decision on his future.

He said: "The injury has been hard, but I'm already recovered and I'm enjoying a World Cup. I don't want to think about the past, I'm focused on the World Cup. I also don't want to think beyond this competition. I don't know what will happen after the World Cup."

Spanish outlet Sport have now claimed the Magpies are ‘in pole position’ to sign the striker after Barcelona tried to negotiate a deal to bring the versatile forward to the Premier League earlier this year. However, the report also suggests the Catalan giants are wary that Depay could reject any January move away from the Camp Nou in favour of a free transfer switch when his current deal comes to an end next summer.

Newcastle are said to have the ‘economic muscle’ as they look to break into the Premier League’s top four but will have to convince Depay of their ambitions and aims before he would consider making the move to Tyneside.