Atletico Madrid manager coy on winger’s future amid Barcelona links, confirms Depay transfer

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Atletico Madrid’s La Liga encounter against Real Valladolid, manager Diego Simeone has confirmed the signing of Memphis Depay from Barcelona, although an official announcement of the same is yet to be made.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have struck an agreement over the transfer of Depay, with the Catalans set to rake in around €4 million, including add-ons, from the sale of the Netherlands international.

Depay flew to Atletico Madrid on Thursday itself and has even completed his medicals. In fact, Atletico Madrid confirmed late last evening that he had permission from Barcelona to train with the Rojiblancos’ squad.

While an official announcement is yet to be made, but Simeone has welcomed the Dutchman into the side, saying:

“A player is coming with a lot of enthusiasm, with the desire to recover his best version, and we will work so that we can rediscover the player who, above all, was at Lyon, because there he showed all his ability and his physical strength.”

Apart from confirming Depay’s imminent signing, Simeone also spoke about the future of Yannick Carrasco, who has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona.

The Catalans had asked for the Belgian as part of the Depay deal, but Atletico refused. It was reported that negotiations over a loan deal were subsequently held but the Rojiblancos are reluctant to let him leave in January.

After that, more reports emerged claiming that Barcelona had secured an option to sign Carrasco for a fee of €15-20 million in the summer.

Talking about the 29-year-old’s future and links with Barça, Simeone said: “The question is for Carrasco, I speak according to what I see in training and Carrasco has always shown good versions with us.”

“Whether Carrasco [to Barcelona] happens or not, I’m not totally aware of it, we’ll see. We also have other players playing in other clubs and who can help in the future,” he added.

With still a little over ten days left in the transfer window, it remains to be seen if Barcelona push for Carrasco or decide to wait until the summer to sign the Belgian, who is understood to be keen on making the switch to Camp Nou.