Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has rejected reports that Memphis Depay is on the verge of joining Barcelona.
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf had claimed a transfer for the 26-year-old forward was agreed for a total of €30 million, but Aulas took to Twitter on Tuesday night to deny the information.
"President [Josep Maria] Bartomeu told me on Sunday that Barca are suffering a lot from the Covid crisis and that it isn't possible for them to make an offer," he wrote.
Earlier in the day, Barca's technical secretary Ramon Planes was asked about Depay during Miralem Pjanic's presentation and said: "We are looking for players with quality and experience, because not any footballer can play for Barca.
"And among them, we are looking for a forward."
However, he dismissed the idea that players would need to be sold first.
"His arrival is not contingent on the departure of players who are now in the squad," he said. "We always aspire to improve the squad."
