---
title: "Virals: Potential boost for Liverpool as Barcelona look elsewhere"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/virals-potential-boost-for-liverpool-as-barcelona-look-elsewhere/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-05-06T17:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-05-06T17:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: Potential boost for Liverpool as Barcelona look elsewhere

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/05/06/virals-liverpool-eye-lorenzo-pellegrini-as-gini-wijnaldum-replacement/) could have been handed a boost in their pursuit of [Memphis Depay](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/02/09/liverpool-will-try-to-sign-memphis-depay-ahead-of-rivals/) this summer as Barcelona weigh up other transfer options.

The Reds have been [credited with an interest](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfer-news-targets-depay-23970883) in the Dutchman, who is set to become a [free agent](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/memphis-depay/profil/spieler/167850) at the end of the season when his Lyon contract expires.

Also wanted by La Liga giants Barca, a player of Depay’s calibre has unsurprisingly [attracted plenty of interest](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2021/barcelona-retain-an-interest-in-memphis-depay/).

However, reliable journalist[Fabrizio Romano](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1390279877060960256) has suggested the Catalan club won’t make any decision over the 27-year-old until the summer and also have Sergio Aguero in their sights.

> Twitter: Sergio Aguero would be prepared to reduce his salary while playing at Barcelona… and of course with Leo Messi. Th… https://t.co/vVxHseBbwp (@FabrizioRomano)

The signing of Aguero, who is also [set to become a free agent](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-sergio-aguero-man-city-20282563), would take up a striking role and an additional wage in Ronald Koeman’s squad, perhaps leaving Depay wondering whether a move to the Camp Nou is the ideal transfer.

This season the [62-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/memphis-depay/nationalmannschaft/spieler/167850/verein_id/3379) winger has scored [21 goals and registered 10 assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/memphis-depay/leistungsdaten/spieler/167850) in 38 appearances across all competitions.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Signing Depay for nothing would be sensational business this summer from the Reds.

A shortage of high-quality attacking options and a [long-term injury](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/feb/22/liverpool-premier-league-injuries-diogo-jota-jordan-henderson) sustained by Diogo Jota caused problems this season at Anfield, leaving the workload and goalscoring reliance on Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

[Valued at £40.5million](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/memphis-depay/marktwertverlauf/spieler/167850), the versatile forward possesses an [abundance of qualities](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/110154/Show/Memphis-Depay) that would be hugely beneficial to Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

Predominantly operating from the left-wing, Depay would act as both direct competition and cover for an [out of sorts Mane](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sadio-mane-liverpool-transfer-question-20373219) – something that Klopp has been [crying out for](https://www.90min.com/posts/jurgen-klopp-hints-at-giving-out-of-form-sadio-mane-a-break) this term.

As things stand, it could boil down to a choice between playing under former national team manager Koeman or joining up with compatriot and [national team captain](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/11300252/virgil-van-dijk-named-netherlands-captain) Virgil van Dijk.