Lyon president says Memphis will not leave in January

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The forward’s been linked with Barcelona

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has insisted Memphis Depay will be staying at the Ligue 1 side until the end of the season despite rumors of a January exit.

The rumor mill reckons Barca will try again for Depay when the window reopens even though they are in a pretty tricky financial situation.

Aulas has now had his say about the situation and does not think the Netherlands international will be going anywhere.

“We have a lot of internationals for different countries, including Memphis, who is a leader. Memphis, I’m not in love with him but I think he can bring to Lyon a dimension that everyone wants the club to have. But, no, we are seemingly not going to keep him [at the end of his contract].

“I was the first to say he would not go to Barcelona. Nobody listened to me during the transfer window because everybody thought he would leave.

“There is not only Memphis, but also Houssem Aouar and Moussa Dembele. From the start, I told you, they will not leave because in a year when we were unfairly deprived of European football, we absolutely have to make a success of the season. So he will stay.”

Source | RMC Sport

Lyon’s resolve may well be tested in January though if clubs do make an offer. If they hold firm they will lose the forward for nothing in the summer when his contract expires.

Source: barcablaugranes.com