BARCELONA are considering signing former Arsenal youngster Donyell Malen from PSV Eindhoven as an alterantive to Memphis Depay, reports claim.
Malen has been identified as an ideal back-up if they don’t manage to sign Depay from Lyon, according to Mundo.
Malen has caught the eye of BarcaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Depay is still Barca’s number one targetCredit: AP:Associated Press
The 21-year-old forward has scored 33 goals and provided 16 assists in 78 games for PSV, putting him on the radar of some of Europe’s elite.
Arsenal are also said to be interested in getting him back despite selling him to the Dutch giants for just £540,000 in 2017.
He is also making a name for himself on the international scene and already has four caps for Holland and one goal.
Malen made his international debut under current Barca boss Ronald Koeman, which may give him the edge in an future advances for the player.
But Depay, 27, is still the Catalan giants’ main target after they failed in their pursuit for him in the summer.
Koeman reiterated that sentiment a few weeks ago when he insisted in an interview with Dutch outlet AD that the club will try to sign Depay again in January.
Barca had agreed to sign the Dutchman from Lyon for around £22million but the deal fell through on transfer deadline day as the La Liga outfit struggled for cash.
They tried to flog Ousmane Dembele to Manchester United but the move never materialised.
The percentage of answers have been round up or down from their decimal points
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas revealed that the striker had his heart set on the move and was dissapointed with Barca.
He said: “I know that Koeman made him continue to hope and that Memphis was ready to make sacrifices.
“Today, he is disappointed, but not towards Lyon, more towards Barcelona.”
Depay also opened up about the failed transfer and explained how he felt about it.
He said: “We don’t have to go into all the details, but indeed we were nearly done.
“Unfortunately, certain rules stopped it. I believe that everything in my life happens for a reason. If it has to happen, it will happen.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
