Barcelona have been the frontrunners to sign Raphinha for some time now, but as there financial issues once again rose to the fore, there were concerns over whether they could even complete a deal for the Leeds man. Yet, with an agreement supposedly close, the former Rennes man looks set to complete a Camp Nou switch.
Coupled with Ousmane Dembele's new contract and the ongoing pursuit of Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona will be well stocked for forward options coming into the 2022/23 campaign. However, the financial complications remain and the Blaugrana will need to shift players in order to help balance the books. One of a few who could be sold is striker Memphis Depay just a year after arriving from Lyon.
The 22-year-old has started just five league matches in 2022 with Xavi favouring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the lead striker in the second half of the campaign. Even so, Depay finished the campaign as Barcelona's top scorer, hitting the back of the net 12 times in his debut La Liga season.
However, Xavi does have ample options in the final third and in order to help finance both the Raphinha and Lewandowski transfers, and Dembele's new deal, sacrifices need to be made. With Aubameyang or Lewandowski, should he join, set to lead the charge, it may be best for Depay to seek pastures new and having previously been linked with a move to Tottenham, the Netherlands international could be the luxury player to complete the Spurs attack.
The north London side have already made a move for a Barcelona player this summer, confirming the long signing of Clement Lenglet last week, and with an established working relationship, this could work in their favour were they to make a move for Depay. Spurs have already bolstered in the final third this summer, spending big to sign Richarlison from Everton to improve Antonio Conte's offensive options.
With Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min and Dejan Kulusevski already on the books, Spurs are well stocked in the final third, but if a player of Depay's calibre is on the market, then the north London side could do a lot worse than approach the Blaugrana for the forward. Despite strengthening in the middle of the park, acquiring Yves Bissouma from Brighton, Spurs do lack a creative option through the middle.
Conte is expected to continue with a 3-4-2-1 setup next season, but there is a lack of creativity to link the midfield and attack that could prove costly in the long run. Spurs were linked with Christian Eriksen, but elected against pursuing their interest in the Dane, while Jesse Lingard and Paulo Dybala have also been mooted with a potential summer switch. Depay isn't of the same mould as Eriksen or Lingard, but the versatility to his game means he'd be able to play in an attacking midfield role if required.
An average of 2.2 key passes per 90 was second to Dembele (2.9) of all Barcelona players in La Liga last season, and more than any other Spurs player, with Son (2.1) the closest to matching that return. Given the raft of attacking options available to Conte, Depay would surely thrive in the final third if handed a free role to maximise his offensive output. In addition, and like summer arrival Richarlison, Depay would also provide cover and competition for the three attacking roles in Conte's favoured 3-4-2-1 system.
Given the volume of games and need for rotation in the coming campaign, Depay wouldn't be short of minutes, which is crucial in a World Cup year. Game time, though, may be limited for Barcelona considering the attacking options at Xavi's disposal. Taking into account their likely need to sell, too, Spurs could land themselves a bargain in Depay that would certainly tick the 'luxury player' box.
After a failed stint in the Premier League with Manchester United, the player may be wary at returning to the league having successfully rebuilt his reputation with Lyon and Barcelona, and the Dutch national team, but in turn; Depay could view a return to England's top tier as a chance for redemption.
With only 12 months left to run on his current deal, too, it's understandable that Barcelona would be keen to cash in on Depay this summer rather than lose him on a free next year. While Spurs are well stocked with forward options, he'd be an upgrade on Lucas Moura, who himself has a year to go on his contract in north London, with Depay offering more than the Brazilian in the final third.
The do have other priorities, notably at right wing-back as Spurs seek to complete a deal for Djed Spence, but with Champions League back on the cards and a desire to improve upon last season's top-four finish, they need quality options all across the pitch. Depay could prove the ideal acquisiton, particularly if they can negotiate a low fee for the Barcelona star.
