Paratici gets green light for "unreal" signing as Spurs eye £158k-p/w "special talent" - opinion

Tottenham Hotspur appear to have been given a green light in their pursuit of Memphis Depay…

Reports in Spain have suggested that the north London outfit has submitted an enquiry for the FC Barcelona forward as manager Antonio Conte looks to continue to bolster his attack.

It’s thought that the Catalan giants will sell the Dutch frontman for around €20m (£18m) if such an offer comes in and now the 28-year-old has stoked the fire by talking up a return to the Premier League.

“It’s a very nice competition,” he explained to Voetbal International (via the Express). “It’s up to the club that is interested.”

Depay is in the final year of his £158k-per-week contract at the Nou Camp but has been usurped in the pecking order by Pierre-Emile Aubameyang, and he could sink further down should a potential move for Robert Lewandowski be finalised.

Despite adding Richarlison to an already stacked frontline, it appears as if the Italian head coach wants further reinforcements.

Spurs will be competing in the Champions League next season, so it could be useful to have an array of options as strength in depth and rotation will see them remain competitive across all competitions.

They have also let Steven Bergwijn depart for Ajax, so there is a potential place in the squad available.

Depay, who has been lauded as a “special talent” by Dutch legend Marco van Basten, has a proven track record in Europe. Despite losing his starting spot in Spain, he still ended the season as Barca’s top goalscorer with 12 goals.

At Lyon, where he reignited his career after a tricky stint at Manchester United; one that came perhaps too early in his career, he managed to deliver 76 goals and 55 assists in 178 appearances, which means he provided 0.74 goal