Despite concrete interest from West Ham United, ExWHUemployee has admitted Memphis Depay is more likely to sign elsewhere this summer.
On Friday morning, journalist Pete O’Rourke claimed that West Ham were plotting a ‘sensational’ swoop for the Barcelona attacker amid reports that a Premier League club based in London had initiated ‘contact’ with the Catalan giants and planned to make the Dutch ace their highest earner.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of Sunday’s game with Nottingham Forest, Irons boss David Moyes insisted ‘it’s not us’, but Ex has revealed that the club are indeed in talks with Barca – although a deal doesn’t seem likely at this stage.
Writing on The West Ham Way Patreon account, he said:
‘I am told at this point that whilst we are in conversations with the player/club and have made some contact, the club believe there is a very small chance at this stage that we could land him.
‘Whilst it is thought that we may be prepared to smash our wage structure to bring in the Dutch international, it is considered to be more likely he will opt to join Juventus or Spurs at this stage.’
TIF Thoughts on Depay and West Ham…
Will West Ham sign Depay?
Yes
No
Legendary striker Marco van Basten hailed the former Manchester United forward as a ‘special talent’ when he arrived at Old Trafford and adding a player of the 80-cap Holland ace’s ilk would be an incredible coup for the east London club.
After fleeing the Premier League he rediscovered his form at Lyon and was directly involved in 131 goals in 178 appearances, 76 of which were goals.
He has been a peripheral figure since his switch to Spain but has still managed 12 La Liga goals in 20 starts.
He reportedly earns £158k per week, which is considerably higher than the Irons’ current second-highest earner Kurt Zouma who makes £100k per week while Alphonse Areola leads the list, taking home a weekly wage of £138k.
It will certainly be interesting to see how this story develops and while the pull of a Juventus or Tottenham could hinder West Ham’s chances it must be encouraging for supporters to see their club making an approach for a player of Depay’s calibre.