Lyon president fancies Memphis Depay to join Barcelona in January

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has said that Memphis Depay will most likely make the move to Barcelona when the transfer window reopens at the beginning of 2021.

The Netherlands international had agreed personal terms with the Blaugrana earlier this month and sporting director Juninho recently acknowledged that the forward could be heading to the Camp Nou this summer.

However, a deal did not materialise before Monday’s transfer deadline after the Blaugrana were unable to accumulate funds from player sales to afford the Dutchman’s services.

Hence, Depay was left bitterly disappointed with the Blaugrana, but Aulas believes the former Manchester United man will push for a move to the Catalan giants at the turn of the year, he told: “Since the beginning I have been clear with Memphis.

“I spoke with president Bartomeu at Barcelona twice, he told me he couldn’t see how things could happen. I know that Koeman made him continue to hope and that Memphis was ready to make sacrifices.”

“Today, he is disappointed, but not towards Lyon, more towards Barcelona. He is going to do everything he can to find himself in a position where he moves there in January.“

Depay had been identified by Ronald Koeman as the replacement for Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan recently ended his six-year association with the club to join Atletico Madrid after he was deemed surplus to requirements.

The inability to land Depay can’t be considered as a failure for the Blaugrana, given they have world-class options in Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezman to lead the line.

Depay has made a good beginning with Les Gones this season and he has bagged four goals from six appearances. However, three of those came during the curtain-raiser against Dijon.

In recent weeks, he has featured off the bench amid the speculation surrounding his future and it will be interesting to see whether manager Rudi Garcia reinstates him into the starting XI after the international break.

Depay has already made his mind up to leave Les Gones in the near future and hence, there have been no negotiations over a possible contract extension beyond next summer.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com