Manchester United's hopes of re-signing Memphis Depay could be given a boost in the coming days, with the Barcelona forward poised for showdown talks with Xavi over his future.
Depay had an underwhelming stint at Old Trafford earlier in his career, but managed to rebuild his reputation off the back of a prolific spell with Lyon in Ligue 1. The 28-year-old's impressive form in France attracted the attention of Barcelona, who lured Depay to the Nou Camp as a free agent last summer.
However, Depay has struggled to make a significant impact in Spain and could be sold in the January transfer window to ease Barcelona's Financial Fair Play concerns.
As things stand, the Spanish giants will be unable to sign anybody once the transfer window reopens next month - but selling Depay would solve that. And according to a fresh report from SPORT, the Netherlands star is set for talks over his future with Nou Camp boss Xavi in the coming days.
The report claims that, while Barcelona were close to letting Depay depart for free in the summer, they would now demand a transfer fee for his services; and may even opt to keep the versatile forward.
Depay is determined to play a more prominent role during the second half of the season. And with just six months remaining on his current deal, the Dutchman would be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with teams from overseas if Barcelona dig their heels in.
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Manchester United have been persistently linked with a swoop to acquire Depay's services and are likely to be in the market for a new forward in January after axing Cristiano Ronaldo.
Arsenal, AS Roma, Juventus and Tottenham are also believed to be monitoring Depay's situation and could test Barcelona's resolve in the coming weeks. However, there has been no 'significant movement' in relation to Depay as of yet.
United have been linked with a host of names since parting company with Ronaldo: including Depay's Netherlands teammate Cody Gakpo, who has been one of the most productive forwards in Europe so far this term.
But with Gakpo's price tag likely to be inflated after plundering three goals in as many games during the Group Stage of the World Cup, United could end up turning to Depay.
Depay is a completely different player to the one who mustered just seven goals and flattered to deceive during his forgettable half-century of appearances for Manchester United in the early days of his career.
The Barcelona ace has already admitted that he has "unfinished business" with the club who signed him back in 2017. He was offloaded by then-boss Jose Mourinho just 18 months after he was snapped up Louis van Gaal.
