Transfer Centre

Barcelona 'could not afford Memphis Depay despite Lyon dropping asking price'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 07 October 2020

Barcelona could not afford to pay the £23m required to sign Lyon attacker Memphis Depay on transfer deadline day, according to a report.

Barcelona could not afford to sign Memphis Depay on transfer deadline day despite Lyon reportedly dropping their asking price for the Netherlands international to €25m (£23m).

The 26-year-old's existing deal is due to expire next summer, and Barca were strongly linked with his services towards the latter stages of the summer transfer window.

According to De Telegraaf, Lyon slashed their asking price to €25m (£23m) in the hope of agreeing a sale, but the Catalan giants were unable to come up with the necessary funds.

The French side now face the possibility of losing Memphis on a free transfer next summer, while Barca are light in the final third of the field, having allowed Luis Suarez to join Atletico Madrid.

Miralem Pjanic, Trincao, Sergino Dest, Matheus Fernandes and Pedri all joined Barca during the recent transfer window despite the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the La Liga giants were unable to agree a deal for their leading target Lautaro Martinez, with the Argentina international remaining at Inter Milan.