Man Utd could scupper Tottenham’s Memphis Depay transfer as Lyon confirm they have first option on £50m striker
MEMPHIS DEPAY's potential £50million move to Tottenham could be blocked by Man Utd after Lyon revealed that they have first refusal on their former striker.
Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs are planning a £50million bid for Utd flop Depay to bolster their attacking options as they lie 14th in the Premier League having won only three of their 12 matches.
However, that Man Utd have the first option to buy Depay, if he moves on from the French club, as a buy-back clause was agreed when he left Old Trafford to sign for Lyon in January 2017 for an initial £16million.
Lyon's director of football, Juninho, says Depay is happy at Les Gones and hopes to extend his contract beyond its end in June 2021, but admits Utd will have priority over other interested clubs.
Netherlands international Depay has resurrected his career with Lyon in Ligue 1, scoring 11 goals in 14 games this season.
Depay struggled in Manchester after Louis Van Gaal signed him from PSV Eindhoven for £25million in 2015, scoring just seven goals in 53 games for Utd.
The Dutch forward had built up a stellar reputation in his homeland, finding the net 28 times in his last season at PSV.
Lyon have slipped to 14th place in Ligue 1 this season and their poor form could tempt Depay into making a sensational return to Old Trafford in the January transfer window.
If Depay declines a contract extension it is likely he will be sold before his existing one runs out so Lyon can recoup some of their investment, and in that case Man Utd would have the first chance to re-sign the Dutch star.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to strengthen his squad in January, with a striker thought to be one of his main targets with Utd having only managed 16 goals in 12 league games this term.
If Utd don't choose to exercise their right to bring Depay back to Manchester then Spurs and Pochettino are willing to give him a second chance in the Premier League.
Depay has established himself as the first-choice striker for the Netherlands and Spurs reckon now could be the time for him to deliver on his talent in this country.