Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United have structured the deal with the Ligue 1 club to include buy-back and sell-on clauses. Lyon qualifying for the Champions League and Depay being offered a fresh contract by the French club are among the add-ons that will raise the price for United.
Even if all of these are reached, United accept there will still be a small loss on a player who cost £25million from PSV Eindhoven in May 2015. However, Depay was guaranteed to earn a minimum of around £75,000 a week until June 2019 so the club is content this sizeable salary is to be removed. The final fee is understood to be around £22m if all add ons are triggered.
Lyon had two bids rejected for the Dutch international before agreeing on a £21.6million deal for the United attacker. And reports claim that the winger might be given over by medics to Lyon in the next few hours. Depay’s stint at Old Trafford is expected to come to an end imminently.
The winger has successfully completed his medical and has been given the no.9 Jersey at the club.
Présentation de @Memphis à 14h45 au Groupama OL Training Center, en compagnie de Jean-Michel Aulas et Bruno Genesio.
@OLTV_officiel pic.twitter.com/VUg7Z55bsC— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) January 20, 2017
The 22-year-old has not played for United since November – and Jose Mourinho has moved quickly to offload him permanently. He’s proved to be a high-profile flop at Manchester United, but the club will recoup a hefty chunk of their initial outlay.
During his underwhelming stay with the Premier League heavyweights and has scored seven goals in 53 appearances since joining the Red Devils.
NOUS SOMMES L’OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS pic.twitter.com/msXGylCVjg
— Memphis (@Memphis) January 20, 2017
Lyon are in fourth place in Ligue 1, 11 points behind leaders Monaco and eight points behind PSG in third, the closest Champions League qualification place.