Netherlands-based newspaper De Telegraaf reported on Tuesday that Barca have made a breakthrough.
The Blaugrana have allegedly had an offer worth an initial €25million (£23million) accepted by Lyon. Barca boss Ronald Koeman is a firm admirer of Depay, having worked with him on the international stage.
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Spanish publication Sport claim, however, that club sources have insisted the talk of a deal is false. In fact, Barcelona believe the figures proposed by De Telegraaf are invalid.
What’s more, Barcelona have maintained that player sales remain the overriding priority, with the Spanish giants looking to trim the highest wage bill in Europe amid the financial impacts of the pandemic.
Barcelona’s actual plan, Sport claims, is to focus on the impending exit of Arturo Vidal. The Chilean is closing in on a move to Inter Milan and the two sides have allegedly reached an agreement.
However, while the report says Barca will put off a deal for Depay this week, they could return to proceedings once Vidal’s move goes through.
Meanwhile, reports elsewhere say former Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani wants to move to Camp Nou.
Journalist Toni Juanmarti (via Deportes Cuatro) says the Uruguayan has twice offered himself to Barca of late. On both occasions, however, Barcelona have rejected Cavani’s proposals.
A move for the 33-year-old appeals to Barcelona’s leadership but the focus is on securing a “young forward as a future project”, as opposed to a proven veteran.
In the short-term, the Spanish club want to get rid of Luis Suarez and bring in Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.
If Martinez is not possible, Koeman will try and seal a deal for Depay.
