Former Real Madrid, Porto, Monaco, and Everton star James Rodriguez put himself back on the map in European football with a summer for the ages at Copa America, showing, once again, why he is one of the best players in the world on the international stage.
The Colombian playmaker was the best player of the tournament, leading his country to the final against Argentina, where they pitched Lionel Messi and Co. to their limit.
Now, James will be returning to LaLiga, embarking on what will likely be his final chapter in European football, returning from a nondescript time in South America to become the latest big name to join Rayo Vallecano, following in the footsteps of former club and national teammate Radamel Falcao.
But James may not be the only big-name attacker from one of Spanish football’s elite set to join Rayo Vallecano, as the former European football candidates are after a former Barcelona forward.
According to a report from Relevo’s Hugo Cerezo and Sergio Fernandez, Rayo Vallecano are preparing an approach for free agent striker Memphis Depay, who most recently played for Atletico Madrid.
Memphis scored 5 goals in 9 starts and 14 further appearances off the bench for Atleti, never really settling in as the third option behind Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann before ultimately not being renewed as a Rojiblanco.
Before that, Memphis had an up-and-down time at Barcelona, scoring 12 goals in the 2021/22 season under Ronald Koeman before being rightfully eschewed under Xavi.
The talented 30-year-old has skill and finishing chops, but he has never played well within a team structure. Before Barcelona, Memphis had more freedom to shine at Lyon and was legitimately one of the best ballers in European football, producing double-digit assists with 20 goals in one campaign.
James and Memphis have shown that they still have something to give in Europe, and Rayo may be the best club for them to express themselves as players in the attack without pressure and with competent teammates around them like secret superstar Isi Palazon.
