Braithwaite the key to Barcelona's pursuit of Lyon forward Memphis Depay
To sign the Dutch international, Barça must first sell players
Common sense tells Memphis Depay to remain cautious and not show too much excitement about the possibility of signing for FC Barcelona in January. But his desire to move to Camp Nou always ends up floating to the surface when he's quizzed on the topic.
After the Netherlands played Spain on Friday, Depay was asked again about the possibility of signing for Barça when the transfer window re-opens.
"On Barça, I don't know," he said. "The transfer window is no open. My mind's not on that. I am trying to be at my best, play well and become a better player. There's a lot of speculation about."
But pressed on the issue, he added: "Who would not want to play there? They're one of the best teams in the world."
THE KEY
Depay's desire to join is clear. There's already an agreement over personal terms. Lyon are also resigned to losing a player that is out of contract in the summer.
There's just one problem: Barça's salary limit. That's where Martin Braithwaite comes in. The Danish international is hardly featuring under Ronald Koeman and will have to leave in January to lighten the wage bill and help finance a move for Depay.
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