Lyon boss jokes about tackling Ronald Koeman over Memphis Depay Rudi Garcia has joked that he has thought about “putting a tackle on” Ronald Koeman in order to prevent the departure of Memphis Depay from Lyon. The Lyon boss was asked about the future of Memphis ahead of his side’s trip to his former club Lille on Sunday. The Holland international striker was a target for Barcelona boss Koeman in the summer. In fact Koeman confirmed his interest in the 26-year-old, only for financial problems to scupper the deal. Dutch paper De Telegraaf reported that Barca had an offer of €25m plus €5m in add-ons accepted by the Ligue 1 side The outlet claimed: “Memphis is going to play next to Messi.” However, Koeman said that was not the case because financially they can not fund the deal. He told Fox Sports Netherlands: “For Depay to arrive, you must first sell.” Memphis even agreed personal terms with the LaLiga giants but a deal was not reached between the two clubs before the transfer deadline “It was pretty close,” Memphis said. “We don’t need to go into all the details but there were certain rules that prevented it, unfortunately. “But I believe everything happens for a reason. I now focus on Lyon and want to be important there again.” Memphis on fire Barca are expected to make another raid for the forward in January and Garcia is braced. “[It] makes me think about putting a tackle on Koeman when the time is right,” joked Garcia. “But when the time is right, I will do it.” Garcia also heaped praise on Memphis’ form with the forward scoring five goals and grabbing three assists in eight league games. “I’m not surprised [that he has started well],” added Garcia. “He does what he says is good at. He needed time after his long injury layoff. “He didn’t have 90 minutes in his legs previously. At the start of the season, we hoped that he could deliver what he is doing now. He plays the role of captain excellently. He’s very important to me as a coach.” READ MORE: Pep in Man City vow as he responds to Barcelona return talk The post Lyon boss jokes about tackling Ronald Koeman over Memphis Depay appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Rudi Garcia has joked that he has thought about “putting a tackle on” Ronald Koeman in order to prevent the departure of Memphis Depay from Lyon.

The Lyon boss was asked about the future of Memphis ahead of his side’s trip to his former club Lille on Sunday.

The Holland international striker was a target for Barcelona boss Koeman in the summer. In fact Koeman confirmed his interest in the 26-year-old, only for financial problems to scupper the deal.

Dutch paper De Telegraaf reported that Barca had an offer of €25m plus €5m in add-ons accepted by the Ligue 1 side

The outlet claimed: “Memphis is going to play next to Messi.”

However, Koeman said that was not the case because financially they can not fund the deal.

He told Fox Sports Netherlands: “For Depay to arrive, you must first sell.”

 

 

Memphis even agreed personal terms with the LaLiga giants but a deal was not reached between the two clubs before the transfer deadline

“It was pretty close,” Memphis said. “We don’t need to go into all the details but there were certain rules that prevented it, unfortunately.

“But I believe everything happens for a reason. I now focus on Lyon and want to be important there again.”

Memphis on fire

Barca are expected to make another raid for the forward in January and Garcia is braced.

“[It] makes me think about putting a tackle on Koeman when the time is right,” joked Garcia. “But when the time is right, I will do it.”

Garcia also heaped praise on Memphis’ form with the forward scoring five goals and grabbing three assists in eight league games.

“I’m not surprised [that he has started well],” added Garcia. “He does what he says is good at. He needed time after his long injury layoff.

“He didn’t have 90 minutes in his legs previously. At the start of the season, we hoped that he could deliver what he is doing now. He plays the role of captain excellently. He’s very important to me as a coach.”

READ MORE: Pep in Man City vow as he responds to Barcelona return talk

The post Lyon boss jokes about tackling Ronald Koeman over Memphis Depay appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Matthew Briggs