KEY POINTS

  • Memphis Depay has entered the final year of his current
  • He received an offer from Chelsea toward the end of the summer window
  • Depay is yet to feature in a game for Barcelona this season

Memphis Depay has announced he would be staying at FC Barcelona for the 2022-23 season.

Depay was linked with a move away from Barcelona this summer. He was heavily linked with Juventus before talks between the two clubs collapsed earlier this week.

In the final hours of the deadline day, Depay took matters into his own hands and ended rumors around his future. He took to social media to announce his decision to stay put in Barcelona.

"I have decided to stay at Barça! Fully committed to contribute to the club's sporting success. #ViscaBarca," the Dutch forward wrote on his official Twitter account.

Toward the end of the 2022 summer window, Depay had received a one-year contract from Chelsea and the Dutchman was ready to accept it, according to Football Insider.

Barcelona and Depay had agreed to a contract termination that would only be completed if he found another club he wanted to join, but the former Lyon forward neither opted for Chelsea's offer nor picked any other club. He is now staying at Camp Nou for the final year of his contract.

If Depay does not sign a contract extension, he will be available for free in the summer of 2023.

However, Depay is aware he isn't a part of Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez's current plans, having been an unused substitute in each of the team's opening three games of the 2022-23 La Liga campaign. He only joined the Catalans a year ago as a free agent from Lyon, scoring 12 goals in 28 league games.

Memphis Depay celebrates after scoring Barcelona's equaliser against Athletic Bilbao
Memphis Depay celebrates after scoring Barcelona's equaliser against Athletic Bilbao AFP / ANDER GILLENEA

Barcelona have had a busy summer market, having signed high-profile forwards Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich and Raphinha from Leeds United, leaving the likes of Depay, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Martin Braithwaite behind despite them being at their disposal.

After a 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona have bounced back with big victories of 4-1 vs Real Sociedad and 4-0 vs Real Valladolid.

Lewandowski has taken little time to settle down as he has already netted four goals and an assist for the Camp Nou side.