I doubt very very much that all the talk about Barkley is purely paper talk, there can't be any substance in it.
As for Depay, I'm not happy about the potential transfer but I'll get behind him. As people have said, we're signing a failing player. In fact, we've signed a lot of failing players. Stekkers, a back up keeper, Valencia, couldn't get in the WHU side for whatever reason, Gana, relegated with Villa. Now Depay, never been able to perform in the EPL.
I'm not saying these signing are bad signings, in some cases (Gana), they've strengthened the squad 10 fold.
I'm saying it sends a bad message, I understand were struggling to sign big players but at least sign proven players who are performing well in average teams.
For example we watched several good players pass by us in the summer like Bony, Benteke and Hart.