Arsenal, Chelsea to battle Manchester United for Memphis Depay?

Manchester United will reportedly face competition from Arsenal and Chelsea for the signature of Barcelona forward Memphis Depay during the January transfer window.

The Netherlands international's contract at Camp Nou is due to expire next summer, and it is believed that Barcelona are prepared to let him leave at the start of 2023.

Offers in the region of £4.3m would allegedly be considered by the Catalan outfit, who are reluctant to lose him on a free transfer next June.

Man United continue to be heavily linked with their former player, with the Red Devils potentially in the market for a Cristiano Ronaldo replacement in the winter.

However, according to Sport, Arsenal and Chelsea are also showing an interest in the attacker, who is currently with the Holland squad at the 2022 World Cup.

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Memphis scored 13 goals for Barcelona during the 2021-22 campaign following his arrival on a free transfer from Lyon, but he has only made three outings this term, largely due to injury.

The forward has not played for Xavi's side since the middle of September due to his latest fitness issue, while he will soon enter the final six months of his contract.

"I was almost ready to resume group training at Barcelona when I had a setback," he told reporters last week. "You should know: I really had to hold back at times. I missed an important period at Barcelona, ​​when they needed me and I wanted to be important for the team."

Memphis started his professional career at PSV Eindhoven, scoring 50 times in 124 appearances for the Dutch outfit, which led to Man United signing him in the summer of 2015.

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The Dutchman found it difficult to make his mark at Old Trafford, though, managing just seven goals and six assists in 53 matches for the Red Devils before leaving for Lyon.

Memphis contributed 76 goals and 55 assists in 178 appearances for the French outfit during a successful spell, which convinced Barcelona to bring him to the club on a free transfer.

In total, he has scored 14 goals and registered two assists in 41 matches for Xavi's side, but he is widely expected to be on the move during the January transfer window.

As well as Man United, Arsenal are said to be keen to bring another forward to the club during the winter window to aid their challenge for the Premier League title.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are also thought to want more competition in the forward areas, and the Blues were linked with Memphis over the summer.