Memphis Depay transfer to Barcelona under threat with Juventus looking to hijack deal like PSG did with Wijnaldum

JUVENTUS have bettered Barcelona’s offer for Memphis Depay – leaving the Spanish giants fearing another last-gasp hijack after PSG beat them to Georginio Wijnaldum.

Liverpool lost midfielder Wijnaldum on a free transfer and were also linked with his Holland team-mate, Lyon winger Depay.

But it’s Barca boss Ronaldo Koeman who again faces embarrassment.

PSG nipped in for Wijnaldum with a huge pay offer – and now Juve are said to have offered ex-Manchester United man Depay more money than Barcelona.

Mundo Deportivo claim Barca offered a longer contract –  three years, with the option of another 12 months.

But Juve are thought to have countered that with a wage package for the 27-year-old worth around £2.5m more.

And the suggestion in Spain is that Depay’s head has been turned by Juve matching their enthusiasm to sign him with an eye-watering salary.

It’s also reckoned Barca will NOT respond with an improved pay offer of their own.

Nou Camp president Joan Laporta is determined to keep the club’s finances stable amid the coronavirus pandemic.

And that means sticking to a wage structure – with very few exceptions.

Juve’s swoop follows Wijnaldum opting for Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG when Barca had seemed frontrunners to land the 30-year-old all summer.

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He said: The former Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven and Newcastle star said: “Joining Paris Saint-Germain is a new challenge for me.

“I join one of the best teams in Europe and I am determined to bring my desire and my determination to this ambitious project.

“Paris Saint-Germain has proved its status in recent years, and I am certain that together, for our supporters, we can go even further and higher.”

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk