Memphis Depay has been handed an ultimatum over his future at Barcelona amid links to an exit from the Nou Camp. The Netherlands international is one of a number of strikers linked with a move to Arsenal this summer.
Centre-forward is said to be an area of particular priority to manager Mikel Arteta in the transfer window, with Alexandre Lacazette set to leave the club as a free agent. Beyond that, goal scoring was an issue throughout the previous campaign, which will need to be addressed for the next.
Discussing the importance of signing a striker, the Spaniard said: “He puts the ball in the net – that’s priority number one. Goal threat. Any successful team needs enough goal threat in the squad. Without it, you have nothing.
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“You can play good football, but you need enough goal threat in the team. The other thing is that he has to complement the other people we have, personally and on the pitch. We need the right profile.”
Among the names linked, there are the likes of Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus, who is expected to make a decision on his future soon. There is also Depay, who has a similar predicament on the horizon.
According to Sport, the 28-year-old has been given an ultimatum by the Catalan club to either sign a new deal or leave in the summer. That is because his current contract only has one-year remaining, and with the Blaugrana's financial difficulties, they would rather not lose him as a free transfer.
The report goes on to reinforce the Gunners' interest, while adding that Juventus are monitoring the situation. Given his versatility, the Netherlands international could be a huge signing for Arteta, but it remains to be seen whether he is an option amid the decision over his future.
