Transfer Centre

Barcelona 'hoping to raise £85m by selling Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 22 July 2022

Barcelona 'hoping to raise £85m by selling De Jong, Memphis'

Barcelona hope to raise £85m by selling Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay before the end of the transfer window, according to a report.

Barcelona are reportedly hoping to raise €100m (£85m) by selling Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay before the end of the summer transfer window.

Despite their financial problems, the Catalan giants have been able to sign Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski in big-money deals this summer, while Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen have also arrived at the club on free transfers.

Barcelona are therefore under pressure to make a big sale this summer, with the club already believed to have come to an agreement with Manchester United over De Jong.

However, the Netherlands international is still allegedly determined to remain at Camp Nou, with Man United facing a battle to convince him to move to Old Trafford.

Memphis's future has also been the subject of much speculation, with the Dutchman also believed to be surplus to requirements ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

Frenkie de Jong warms up for the Netherlands on June 14, 2022 © Reuters

Both players are on the club's pre-season tour of the United States, with the pair featuring in the team's 6-0 victory over Inter Miami last time out.

Memphis could struggle for regular action next season, though, with Ousmane Dembele, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Lewandowski all seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order.

According to Sport, Barcelona boss Xavi will hold meetings with De Jong and Memphis in the coming days to again clarify that the duo are not in the club's plans for next season.

The report claims that the Catalan side believe that they could raise €100m (£85m) by selling the pair this summer, with the bulk of the money coming from De Jong's proposed exit.

Chelsea are allegedly competing with Man United for De Jong, while there have been claims that the Red Devils are also considering re-signing Memphis this summer.

Memphis Depay in action for Barcelona in March 2022 © Reuters

Memphis only has 12 months left to run on his contract at Camp Nou, meaning that the Catalan outfit are not in a strong position when it comes to his future.

Despite some injury problems, the 28-year-old enjoyed a relatively strong 2021-22 campaign at Barcelona, scoring 13 times and registering two assists in 37 appearances.

De Jong was also a key player for Xavi's side last term, making 45 appearances in all competitions, contributing four goals and five assists in the process.

The 25-year-old is said to be resisting an exit this summer, but he could ultimately be forced into accepting a transfer before the end of the transfer window.

De Jong was allegedly identified by new Man United head coach Erik ten Hag as his leading transfer target earlier this summer, with the Dutchman determined to sign a ball-playing defensive midfielder in the current market.