Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman publicly acknowledged that Lyon forward Memphis Depay was at the top of the former Netherlands coach’s shortlist.
While there were talks conducted all summer, and acknowledging of approaches from both parties, no move went through during the transfer window.
The main reason behind it was Barcelona’s financial condition and the fact that they needed to sell before they bought any big players.
Sergino Dest and Miralem Pjanic were the only two new arrivals at Camp Nou this summer. Ronald Koeman has been widely in favour of using the talented players already at his disposal in the form of Ansu Fati, Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Pedri alongside Leo Messi.
While Memphis would have added a bold new dimension to Barcelona’s squad, it seems unlikely that the club will be able to sign the Dutch international during the winter transfer window either.
The reason being Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas saying:
“I think that he can bring Lyon into a dimension that everyone wants to see for Lyon… I was the first to say that he would not leave for Barcelona.
“Nobody listened to me at the time during the window because everyone thought that he would leave… We absolutely have to succeed this season. We started badly, but we have the capacity to do better, so he will stay.”
Speaking to RMC Sport, the Lyon President made it clear that Memphis Depay would not be leaving France mid-season.
In addition, he further said that no move would go through until the summer. Lyon are currently fifth in Ligue 1, having accumulated 17 points from 10 league games played. They are 7 points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Being one of their most important players, Memphis Depay will be key to Lyon’s season, and could be the difference maker to their Champions League ambitions next season. The club are in a dire situation and will do anything to hold on to their talisman till the end of the campaign.
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