Barcelona 'set to announce the signing of Depay early next week on 3-year deal'

Barcelona will announce the signing of Memphis Depay early next week as the club continue their summer rebuild, according to reports in Spain.

The Catalan giants have already moved to seal transfers for Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia when the duo leave Manchester City at the end of the month.

They also triggered a £7.8million clause in Emerson Royal's Real Betis contract earlier this week to sign the Brazilian defender on a permanent basis.

But now Spanish outlet Sport claim a fourth signing is just around a corner, with Netherlands forward Depay signing a three-year deal at Camp Nou to join when he leaves Lyon on a free transfer.

The report adds the 27-year-old will have a low release clause in his contract, which is expected to include a more affordable salary as the club continue to battle with the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic.

But a move would signal the end of more than 12 months of speculation around Depay's future, with Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman - his former manager at international level - having wanted to sign his compatriot in the last two transfer windows.

However, the club were unable to afford the transfer fee of around £23million set by Lyon last summer, while presidential candidates were unwilling to sanction a move in January given that he is now available on a free.

The same outlet claims Depay has turned down significant approaches, including from Juventus, as well as shunning a new deal at the Groupama Stadium to join Barcelona.

Depay joined Lyon in 2017 after scoring just seven goals in 53 appearances in a two-year spell at Manchester United.

But the Dutchman has revived his club career in France, scoring 76 goals in 178 matches, including 20 in Ligue 1 in 2020-21.

Barcelona are also chasing Depay's international team-mate Georginio Wijnaldum, who is leaving Liverpool at the end of the month after five years at Anfield.