Barcelona boss Xavi has confirmed the reason why Memphis Depay joined Atletico Madrid.
The Dutch international completed a move to Diego Simeone’s side yesterday after the two clubs agreed a €3m deal, with €1m in extras.
Depay has signed a two and a half year deal in the Spanish capital, until the end of the 2024/25 campaign, and made his Los Rojiblancos debut today, in their 3-0 win at Real Valladolid.
The move was completely quickly, with Depay confirming Simeone’s determination to bring him to the club played a crucial role in helping him to decide.
Barcelona were keen to offload the former Lyon forward, as part of a drive to reduce their wage bill in 2023, with Xavi revealing Depay asked him personally to sanction an exit from Catalonia.
“Memphis asked to leave after he received Atletico’s proposal,” as per reports from Marca.
“He asked me to leave, he wasn’t comfortable, he wanted to be comfortable again.
“We all came out of the situation as winners.
“If we can strengthen ourselves, that would be great. If not, it’s not urgent. We’ll see if we can sign someone, but we must remember Financial Fair Play rules.”
Barcelona host Getafe on their return to La Liga action this weekend with key pair Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo both passed fit to return to Xavi’s squad.
Images via Getty Images
petdilnpty
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Mali,mautani
ManUnited-Red
0
We're not Manchester United to ruin depay's career
Yea you guys are worse
Fisablrs
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Yeah only problem depay had was not being Spanish , they looking for a sub striker and they got Lewy, xavi just wants to play Spanish peeps
non of our major signings last summer was even Spanish lewy, raphinha kounde Christensen and Kessie Alonso and bellerin are the only Spanish signings and as you can see they are fringe players
fanaikprz
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Barcelona almost ruined him but he saved himself
We're not Manchester United to ruin depay's career
Veubdorsy
0
Barcelona weren't fair on DePay. you can't sign depay then you add aubameyang and lewy.even on the wing depay is better than fati and Torres by fsr
Yeah only problem depay had was not being Spanish , they looking for a sub striker and they got Lewy, xavi just wants to play Spanish peeps
Pumklopu
1
Barcelona weren't fair on DePay. you can't sign depay then you add aubameyang and lewy.even on the wing depay is better than fati and Torres by fsr
ManUnited-Red
3
Barcelona almost ruined him but he saved himself
ClemJay
1
If he had stayed behind at Barcelona, then it would have been a general knowledge that he lacks ambition
AlAzeem
1
Barca and business.. signing free transfer players and selling after few months playing for the club