Memphis Depay Refuses to Rule Out January Transfer Amid Barcelona Links

Lyon forward Memphis Depay has kept speculation over his future alive by refusing to rule out a January transfer, as rumours of Barcelona's interest continue.

The 26-year-old was a known target for Barça during the summer window, with Ronald Koeman having worked with the player during his time as Netherlands national team coach.

However, the deal ultimately never happened with Barça's well-documented financial issues wreaking havoc with their recruitment strategy.

Depay himself revealed last month: "The agreement [with Barcelona] was very close. We do not have to go into all the details, but in reality it was almost done. Unfortunately, certain rules stopped it."

Though Barcelona's off-field drama continues, the club could well attempt to enter the market for another forward when the transfer window re-opens in under two months, having lost wonderkid Ansu Fati to a serious knee injury.

Asked about his short-term future following the 2-1 win over Saint-Etienne on Sunday evening, Depay refused to 'make promises'.

“You ask me this question a lot," he said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo. "But I'm not going to make promises that I'm not sure I can keep. I think Lyon has to take advantage of my presence here now.

"And I have to take advantage of being here. And that's what I try to do every day. You can ask those around me: I like to train and I try to be positive every day."

According to Mundo Deportivo, Depay and Barcelona already have a 'verbal agreement' and all that remains would be to negotiate a fee with Lyon.

The forward, whose contract in France runs until 2021, is unlikely to come particularly cheap, while Barcelona would need to make sales in order to finance a mid-season move.

Depay is Lyon's top scorer so far in 2020/21 with five goals in 10 Ligue 1 outings.