Newcastle United have “been offered” the chance to sign 159-goal Barcelona forward Memphis Depay.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from Spanish outlet Sport, which claims Newcastle are interested in signing the Netherlands international.

The same source states that Depay’s fast-approaching contract expiry plays a major role in this shift, with Barcelona now looking to cash in on the 28-year-old in what will be their last opportunity to do so.

With the Blaugrana forced to make sales to meet La Liga’s Financial Fair Play requirements, the Spanish Giants are pushed to sell the former Manchester United forward on the notion that he is a saleable asset.

As such, Barcelona would “welcome a sale” with Newcastle said to be “very interested.”

The outlet goes on to say that Barca are looking for a fee of between €10-15m (£8.8-£13.1m).

Though, Depay would prefer to leave on a free so that he can negotiate the same salary he earns in Spain “or even exceed it.”

It is said that Newcastle “could convince” the Dutchman though amidst their financial muscle and ambitions to break into the Premier League’s elite.

Forced exit

Make no mistake, Depay has not put a foot wrong since signing for Barcelona back in the summer of 2021.

After redefining his position and consequential playing style at Lyon across five seasons, he brought that technical centre-forward role to Barcelona and finished as the club’s top scorer in La Liga with 12 goals scored in 28 games, having started 20 of those showings.

But, the arrival of Robert Lewandowski has had big implications on the squad, with Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang of course exiled as part of that thought process.

With Depay given just two chances in La Liga this season, despite managing to get a goal in that slim window of opportunity, it looks as though his spell in the Catalan region is over. 

Newcastle would massively benefit from a forward who is very capable as a ‘false-9’ in a move that would bring a totally different dimension to the side.

This would be an excellent piece of business in January.