Brazilian media have reported that the winter transfer window in the UAE Pro League could witness a blockbuster deal, as competition intensifies between Al-Wasl and Shabab Al-Ahli to sign Brazilian Corinthians striker and Dutch international Memphis Depay. French newspaper L'Équipe confirmed that both "The Emperor" and "Dubai's Knights" have made official offers to sign the player in the coming period, stating that "Depay, with his exceptional attacking abilities and impressive goal-scoring record, has become the focus of attention for UAE clubs following his standout performances for his current team." The report added that "the player is showing a strong desire to stay with Corinthians to maintain his full fitness in preparation for the upcoming World Cup," and also confirmed his participation in the local Super Cup with his current club. The report further notes: "The interest from Al-Wasl and Shabab Al-Ahli comes as they seek to strengthen their attacking lines with a world-class player capable of making a difference, both in domestic and continental competitions, which opens the door for one of the most notable deals of the current transfer window." Memphis Depay, born on February 13, 1994, in the Netherlands, began his professional career with Dutch club PSV, where he scored 39 goals in 97 matches before moving to Manchester United in 2015, scoring 28 goals in two Premier League seasons. He then joined Lyon in 2017, becoming one of the team's star players with 76 goals in 165 Ligue 1 matches, before having a short stint with Barcelona in the 2021-22 season. Internationally, Depay has represented the Netherlands national team over 80 times, scoring more than 35 goals, and was a key figure in the World Cup and European Championship qualifiers. In the Brazilian Serie A with Corinthians, Depay quickly established himself as one of the best strikers, scoring crucial goals that have drawn the interest of Gulf clubs looking for a player who can directly elevate their attacking line.
