Memphis Depay unveiled as Barcelona player for first time at Camp Nou as forward admits switch to LaLiga giants is a ‘dream’ and cannot wait to play alongside Lionel Messi… once the Catalans register the attacking duo when their wage bill is cut down!
- Memphis Depay was unveiled as a Barcelona player at Camp Nou on Thursday
- The Dutchman has moved on a free transfer from French side Lyon this summer
- Depay admits that joining Barcelona is a ‘dream turned into reality’ for him
- The 27-year-old admits he cannot wait to play alongside Lionel Messi this season
- Barcelona cannot register Depay or Messi until they reduce their wage bill
Memphis Depay revealed his joy of joining ‘dream’ club Barcelona as the forward was unveiled as a Catalans player at the Camp Nou on Thursday.
The 27-year-old has moved to the Spanish giants on a free transfer from Lyon and will link up with Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman, who the forward knows from his time with the Dutch national team.
Depay showed off his skills in Barcelona colours on Thursday after being led onto the pitch by club president Joan Laporta, with the striker revealing that he is living a dream by moving to the LaLiga giants.
Forward Memphis Depay was unveiled in Barcelona colours for the first time on Thursday
Depay was presented by Barcelona president Joan Laporta (left) following his move from Lyon
The forward tweeted on Thursday night: ‘I want to thank the president, the whole board of Barcelona, the coach and my own team for making my dream reality.
‘I want to thank God more than anything else for guiding me through out my life! I have no words to describe how I feel right now but I’m so grateful.’
Depay has also admitted he is very much looking forward to linking up with Lionel Messi at Barcelona, with the Catalans captain expected to sign a five-year deal with the club later this summer despite his initial contract expiring on June 30.
‘He’s a legend, best player in the world, you saw what he did in the Copa America. I’m very much looking forward to playing with him, his quality is undoubted. I have to just make my runs and I know the ball will come.
Depay admits he cannot wait to play alongside Lionel Messi, who will sign a five-year deal
‘Because he has too much quality, he can do everything with the ball. I think everybody in the world would like to play with someone like that.
‘Yesterday I had a tour of the museum and saw all of the Ballon d’Or awards, he probably has another one coming too. It’s going to be a dream for me.’
However, neither Depay or Messi have not been officially registered as Barcelona players yet as the club continues to struggle to comply with LaLiga rules amid their financial turmoil.
The Catalans are desperately trying to offload players as they look to reduce their depleted wage bill – which is 40 per cent over LaLiga’s salary cap – with several players expected to leave the club.
Laporta is unable to register Depay or Messi until he cuts down Barcelona’s wage budget
Left-back Junior Firpo has already been shipped out in a £13million deal to Leeds while one of the key players set to depart is French forward Antoine Griezmann – who could be let go via a swap deal with Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez.
Spanish news outlet Sport also report that Barca will ask ask senior first-team stars Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba to take wage cuts in order to fund their incomings.
The need to shift players comes in a year when Barcelona announced a £1billion debt in February of this year, while four tax audits have also circled the club over recent months to determine how bad the European giants’ financial situation actually is.
