Barcelona cannot afford Memphis Depay due to COVID-19 losses, claims Lyon chief

Since Ronald Koeman took charge at Camp u, a host of Dutch players have been linked with a move to Barcelona. Among names listed by Barcelona transfer news, Memphis Depay dominated heline with Lyon striker aimed as a potential replacement for outgoing Luis Suarez. However, Depay to Barca deal has hit an impasse and Blaugrana's financial crisis is main reason behind it, claims Lyon chief Jean-Michel Aulas. 

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Barcelona transfer news: LaLiga giants cant afford Depay transfer says Lyon chief 

While Barcelona transfer news has frequently linked Depay to Barca in recent weeks, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas took to Twitter to dress rumours surrounding deal. After reports suggest that Depay to Barca was all but done for a fee in region of €25-30 million, Aulas provided a dramatic twist on Tuesday. Quoting a report from Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Lyon president said that Barcelona have been massively hit by COVID-19 crisis and would be unable to lodge a Memphis Depay transfer bid. Speaking on Depay to Barca transfer rumours, Aulas ded that Barca president Josep Bartomeu has informed him that club will be unable to make a move for Dutch striker this summer. 

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Barcelona transfer news: Koeman confirms Depay transfer has stalled

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu recently revealed that club is set to lose close to 30% of ir budgeted income which is estimated to be around a staggering €300 million. After Jean-Michel Aulas' comments, Ronald Koeman, in an interview with Fox Sports Nerlands, mitted that Barcelona need to sell players before buying 26-year-old Dutch international. While Barcelona transfer news has linked m with moves for Liverpool's Georgi Wijnaldum, Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara and Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez, Blaugrana manr said that club was likely to enter pre-season with same group of players.

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Barcelona's inflated w bill and COVID-19 losses have massively depleted ir strength in transfer market, with LaLiga giants looking to sell players to cut back on ir w bill. Midfielder Ivan Rakitic was sold off to Sevilla while Arturo Vidal is nearing a transfer to Inter Milan with each passing day. Luis Suarez, who was also told to leave by Koeman, is reportedly set to stay at Camp u despite falling out of favour under new manr. As for Memphis Depay, Lyon will hope to cash in on ir star attacker this summer or convince him to sign a new contract, with his current deal expiring next season. Since joining Ligue1 outfit in January 2017, 26-year-old has scored 46 goals in 103 league games for m. 

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(Im Courtesy: Memphis Depay Instagram)