Koeman confirms Barcelona financial woes holding up Memphis deal

Ronald Koeman has confirmed Barcelona first need to sell before they can get a deal over the line for Lyon captain Memphis Depay.

Memphis was promoted as Netherlands captain during Koeman's time as manager of the Oranje and wants to bring the former Manchester United winger to Camp Nou.

With Luis Suarez deemed surplus to requirements, Koeman has earmarked Memphis as his replacement with Inter's Lautaro Martinez off limits this summer.

Lyon will accept Barcelona's €30m offer for Memphis but Koeman has confirmed they first need to clear space to sanction a deal in the first place.

"For Depay to arrive, you must first sell," Koeman told Fox Sports Netherlands.

Juventus have pulled the plug on talks to sign Suarez after it emerged the striker would not get Italian citizenship before the deadline to register for the Champions League.

Memphis, who scored a hat-trick in Lyon's first league game of the 2020/21 campaign, has played a direct hand in 79 goals in 104 league appearances for the club.