Barcelona target Memphis Depay to remain in Lyon until summer.
It seems like Barcelona might have to wait till the end of the season to find a proper replacement for Luis Suarez. Ever since the departure of the Uruguayan striker, the club has had some problem finishing as they lack a proper striker. Antoine Griezmann and Martin Braithwaite are the only players who can play in the number nine position but Ronald Koeman is not happy with either and wants to bring in Memphis Depay.
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The Dutch winger, who can also play as a striker had previously played for Koeman in the Netherland international team. While he is not a traditional striker, the dutch manager is used to playing him in the number nine position. Koeman had the idea of forming the team around Depay but was unable to do so because the transfer did not take place in the summer transfer window.
It was expected that the Catalans would try once again for Depay in the winter window but now the winger is claiming that he may remain in the Ligue 1 till the end of the season. Depay had previously shown his wish to leave Lyon and join Koeman but now wants to wait. He said in an interview with a French television channel, Canal+,
"“I’m happy here. We have a great team, I really like the president, we’ll see what happens, The president and I know what happened in the last four seasons. Let’s keep going and enjoy my presence. I might be here until the end of the season.”Source Goal"
Lyon is currently sitting on the top of the table after 18 games and they are really giving Pari Saint-Germain a challenge for the league title. Depay has created the most number of chances in the league, 42. He has already scored 10 goals and provided four assists in the league. It is no wonder that Koeman wants him to be the main target man for his side but it looks like he might have to wait a few more months.
Depay is in the last year of his contract and he would go to Barcelona as a free agent at the end of the season. The Catalans are also going through a tough time, financially speaking and thus it would be a blessing in disguise if they do not have to pay for the striker in January and rather get him for free in July.
Do you want to see Depay join in January or in the summer?