Everton will have to shell out €20 million for Barcelona attacker

Everton had been recently linked with Barcelona forward Memphis Depay. As it turns out, the Blaugrana will be open to selling the Dutchman and have put a price tag on the 28 year old.

Everton want to strengthen their side and build a team that are not relegation battlers but capable of challenging the top half and hopefully fighting it out for a European spot. For that to happen, smart recruitments need to be made. Players with quality have to be brought to Goodison Park and they need to be seamlessly infused into the system.

Everton’s summer of rebuild and upgrade may hit a stumbling block if Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison leave the club. Everton’s most prized assets are admired across Europe and some of the top clubs are keeping an eye on them. For the Brazilian attacker, Bayern Munich and Arsenal are monitoring his situation. Calvert-Lewin is wanted by the Gunners and Newcastle United.

In the event of a departure, the Toffees will have to reinvest the sum and bring a replacement. Depay seems to be a strong candidate that needs to be considered.

Everton now knows Memphis Depay price tag

A few days ago, Spanish media outlet Sport reported that Arsenal and Everton had registered interest in Depay. Now, the same publication has reported that Barcelona remains open to selling Depay.

The player’s future is unknown as the Catalans gear up for the arrival of Robert Lewandowski and search for a winger with Leeds United’s Raphinha becoming the top transfer target. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also in the ranks, Depay’s role could be diminished.

The player is club’s joint top scorer with 13 goals and still has one more year left on his contract. Barcelona do not want to give him away for cheap and the fact that he’s had a decent season means he will have a fair market value and interest from other clubs.

Any club willing to sign Depay will have to shell out €20 million. Arsenal remains keen as their search for a striker continues. On the other hand, Everton does not actively have to pursue Depay’s deal if Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin will stay.

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In the event of their transfer, the Toffees may have to hunt in the market for a new forward and Depay can then be considered a candidate. The Dutchman is a reliable attacker and a dangerous forward in the opposition box. He produces 3.88 shot creating actions every game, featuring in top five per cent of attackers in Europe’s top five leagues.

Depay can carry the ball with guile and pace. His progressive carries per 90 stand at 7.37 and progressive passes stand at 3.26. As an attacker, he registered 49 passes per game, putting him into top one per cent of attackers in Europe’s top five leagues. (stats via FBref)

Yes, there will be doubts derived from his last spell in the Premier League. The fact is that Depay has evolved as a player and is far more mature and polished than what he was five years ago when he joined the Red Devils.

He’s one of the players Everton can bet on if one of their top two players leaves this summer.

Should Memphis Depay be considered as an option in the summer?