Liverpool transfer news: Lyon ‘open to selling assist king’
Lyon are open to selling winger Memphis Depay amid Liverpool links, according to reports.
The Dutchman has been a key part of Lyon’s attack over the past two years since joining in January 2017, but there are still some concerns about his attitude.
Could Liverpool sign Depay? Five key things to know…
- Lyon are looking to cash in on Dutch winger Memphis Depay, according to the Manchester Evening News.
- Liverpool are believed to be the favourites for the former Man Utd man’s signature.
- The Reds look set to lose Daniel Sturridge to a free transfer this summer, with the Englishman’s contract running out.
- Should he join Liverpool, Depay would link up with fellow Dutch internationals Georginio Wijnaldum and Virgil van Dijk.
- Depay made 33 Premier League appearances for Man Utd between 2015 and 2017.
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According to further reports from French outlet Mercato365, Liverpool sent scouts to watch Depay in action for Lyon during their 3-0 defeat of Marseille in mid-May.
With one game remaining in Ligue 1, no Lyon player has been directly involved in more goals than Depay this season. The Dutchman has scored 10 and recorded nine assists in 35 appearances, level with Moussa Dembele, who scored 15 and got four assists.
In comparison, Mohamed Salah once again led the way for goal involvements in the Liverpool squad, directly contributing to 30 in the Premier League – scoring 22 and recording eight assists.
Sadio Mane was next with 22 goals and one assist, while Roberto Firmino managed 12 goals and six assists – the only three Liverpool players to directly contribute to 10+ goals.
Though Depay would not be the cheapest option for Liverpool to bolster their attack, he would not bring the same cost as more established players in his position. This would be in keeping with Jurgen Klopp’s plan to not spend too much on improving the squad, after Liverpool spent big on the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson last year.
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Klopp said: “For sure there’s no need for that level (of spending).
“I don’t want to talk exactly what we will do, but I don’t think this is a team at the moment where we have to spend the big money or whatever.
“The best way to do it is bring together a group of players, try to develop them altogether and then stay together for a while.
“That was maybe the main problem of Liverpool for the last decade. When they had a good team after a season they went all over the world. That will not happen this year for sure.”
