Atalanta striker Luis Muriel is reportedly close to joining Newcastle United, so Juventus accelerate for Barcelona outcast Memphis Depay.
It was known that Muriel would likely leave Bergamo this summer, as his contract is due to expire at the end of this season.
Juve had been amongst the options for him going forward, but La Gazzetta dello Sport insist Muriel is very close to Newcastle United instead.
The Magpies had also been actively pursuing his Atalanta teammate and fellow Colombia international Duvan Zapata, but Muriel proved more available.
Instead, Juventus are increasingly putting all their chips on Barcelona’s table with a bid for Depay.
The Blaugrana are in a serious financial crisis and cannot register their new players until the wage bill has been brought down.
As Depay is only under contract to June 2023, he could be sold practically for free just to get him off the books.
Juventus would be able to guarantee his current €5m per season salary with the aid of the Growth Decree, which gives tax breaks for talents coming into Italy from abroad.
Good move for Muriel as he will be a starter at Newcastle.
Bring on Depay baby!!
Its sad that players are going not different ways, juve for muriel would been better, like that player very much
Muriel should be the best … Cos he don’t score alone and very strong
Depay will kind of fill the gap after Dybala.
Had kind of the same characteristics but he is also just as much injury prone!
If he can play the same role as he does for Netherlands NT then he will be deadly.
You would have a to be complete dopehead to prefer Muriel over Depay. Depay is 3 years younger.
Muriel has the IQ of a Donkey. Not unlike most Rubentus fans.