Memphis Depay: "I was quite close to Barcelona"

Memphis Depay: "I was quite close to Barcelona"

 Memphis Depay ya se encuentra concentrado con la selección holandesa tras su fichaje frustrado por el Barça / | sport

The Dutchman spoke after Holland's 1-0 defeat by Mexico in a friendly

Memphis Depay spoke publicly for the first time since the transfer window shut and his move to FC Barcelona fell through.

"I was quite close to Barca," acknowledged the forward when speaking to NOS after the 1-0 defeat by Mexico, in which Depay shone despite not scoring - he hit the crossbar.

"Only technicalities stopped me from signing. We don't need to get into all the details but there were certain rules that unfortunately stopped them from buying us."

Barcelona could not afford to sign Depay, even though Lyon reduced the price to 15m euros. It's because their wage bill is so high and they could not get Ousmane Dembele out of the club this summer. 

Depay added: "Now I'm focused on Olympique Lyon and I want to be important there again. Later we'll see how things go, but it's possible the interest there will remain."

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