Transfer News: Barcelona on high-alert as Memphis Depay aims dig at Lyon hierarchy

Olympique Lyon attacker Memphis Depay has taken a dig at the club amid speculations of Barcelona returning with an offer for him in the winter window.

According to Get French Football News, as relayed by The Sun, Olympique Lyon forward Memphis Depay has aimed a dig at the club’s hierarchy, putting suitors Barcelona on high-alert ahead of the January transfer window.

The 26-year-old Depay signed for Lyon in January 2017 from Manchester United and has grown into one of their most important players during his time at the club. In 148 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit, the Dutchman has racked up a return of 59 goals and 46 assists so far.

Depay’s rise to prominence, after an ill-fated spell at Manchester United, has seen him attract the interest of La Liga giants Barcelona. The Catalans were in the market for a new forward in the summer transfer window and with ex-Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman taking over as their manager, Depay became a priority target for Barcelona.

However, a move failed to materialise as Barcelona failed to raise the necessary funds to sign the Netherlands international. The 26-year-old has admitted that he came very close to completing a dream move to Camp Nou, only to see it fall through over ‘certain rules’.

Having already grown frustrated over the failed transfer, Depay has aimed a dig at Lyon, after their poor start to the 2020/21 campaign. In ten Ligue 1 outings, Les Gones have picked up just four wins and find themselves seven points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

Set to celebrate a move to Camp Nou? (Photo by Remy Gabalda/AFP via Getty Images)
Set to celebrate a move to Camp Nou? (Photo by Remy Gabalda/AFP via Getty Images)

And Depay has hit out at the club, hinting that there are certain problems with the way things are being run behind the scenes. “The title? That should be our aim. Even if I cannot say everything going through my head right now… in terms of what’s happening, what I am seeing at the club, there are things that I honestly can’t say,” he said.

Even though Lyon’s form has suffered, Depay has been doing well on the pitch, bagging five goals and three assists in ten league outings. And, it is understood that Barcelona will be returning with an offer for him in the January transfer window.

The Catalans have already decided to put a number of their players up for sale in order to generate the funds to launch a move for Depay.

In fact, reports in Spain are already claiming that Barcelona have an agreement with both Lyon and the player over a January transfer. The only matter now remains is them offloading a few players in order to come up with the transfer fees and free up space on the wage bill.

Barcelona’s hopes of signing Depay will only be boosted by the player’s latest comments. It now remains to be seen if the 26-year-old does end up moving to Camp Nou in the new year.

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