Lyon forward Memphis Depay could be headed for Barcelona as the two clubs open discussions.
Mohamed Bouhafsi, of RMC Sport, reports that Lyon have willingly opened talks with the Spanish giants regarding Depay’s departure after the Dutchman ignored requests from the Ligue 1 side to extend his contract.
Barcelona in Talks to Sign Memphis Depay
Lyon Don’t Want to Lose Him on a Free
Lyon are welcoming the exit of Memphis Depay, who has refused to consider a new contract at the club.
His contract expires next summer, and they do not want to lose the former Manchester United forward on a free transfer.
Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman coached Depay with the Dutch national team and appears to want him to aid him in his new role at Barcelona.
Rejuvenated Form
After a failed stint with Manchester United in the Premier League, Depay has managed to re-establish himself in France.
During his fruitless spell in England, he failed to impress. Just seven goals and six assists in 53 appearances for the Red Devils were not enough.
In France, his form has differed and looks more like that of what he had promised during his days in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven. He has reached 100 goals involvements (57 goals, 43 assists) in 139 games.
Whether he struggled to adapt to the Premier League, or simply, was not happy at Old Trafford, is open to debate. However, he has marked himself as one of Europe’s top talents again and has found himself on the receiving end of interest from one of La Liga‘s finest in Barcelona.
Memphis Depay has already hit top form this season, scoring an opening game hat-trick in Lyon’s 4-1 win over Dijon.
Much Change at Barcelona
Memphis would be joining a Barcelona side in a period of change. They’ve started by replacing Quique Setien with Ronald Koeman, but it doesn’t appear to be that simple. Lionel Messi‘s future at the club has been up in the air this summer. The Argentine forward has revealed he will stay at the club but indicated he is not happy with how president Josep Bartomeu is running the five-time European champions.
BREAKING: Lionel #Messi has announced that he will be staying at #Barcelona after all, but insists that “the management of the club led by [president Josep Maria] Bartomeu is a disaster.”
[via @goal] #fcb #laliga pic.twitter.com/TWBI6KZcn0
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) September 4, 2020
Barcelona are also reportedly interested in Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum. It looks as though Koeman is turning to his trusted Netherlands pair to help turn Barcelona’s situation around.
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