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Depay joins Atletico for reported €3M fee after falling out of favor at Barca

Julian Finney / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Atletico Madrid saved Memphis Depay from bench-warming duties at Barcelona on Friday after signing the attacker for a nominal fee reportedly worth around €3 million.

The Dutchman signed a deal through 2025 with Los Colchoneros. His Barcelona contract was set to expire in June.

Depay, 28, moves to the Wanda Metropolitano with a creditable return of 12 goals and two assists over 28 La Liga appearances during the 2021-22 campaign. However, Barcelona's summer signings of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, and a thigh injury for Depay, restricted the Dutchman to four appearances - and one goal - across all competitions this season.

The former Lyon and Manchester United forward will be viewed as an automatic replacement for Joao Felix, who joined Chelsea on loan earlier in January.

Atletico Madrid already dealt with Barcelona in October when they signed Antoine Griezmann on a permanent basis for an initial €20-million fee - just over three years after the Frenchman left Atleti for Barca for €120 million. The capital club also famously signed Luis Suarez after Barcelona phased him out, and the Uruguayan was subsequently instrumental as Atletico Madrid clinched the 2020-21 La Liga title.

The summit of Spanish football may be out of reach for Diego Simeone's side this term, as Barcelona have 13 more points than fourth-placed Atleti. But there will be fears among the Camp Nou faithful that the club has significantly strengthened its domestic rival again.

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