Former Man Utd star Memphis Depay could QUIT Lyon after missing out on European football with Ligue 1 season axed
FORMER Manchester United star Memphis Depay could quit Lyon after the club missed out on European football when the Ligue 1 season was axed.
The Dutch ace may part ways with the French side after they failed to qualify for Europe for the first time in 23-years.
France has been one of the worst hit countries by coronavirus, with 26,380 confirmed deaths from 139,063 cases.
And last month, the French government announced that all sporting events would be KO'd until September.
With a 12-point lead and a game in hand PSG were crowned champions and the decision effectively keeps the Ligue 1 table as it was when play was halted on March 8, with Amiens and Toulouse relegated.
Seventh-placed Lyon were pushing for a spot in Europe before the campaign was axed and have now threatened legal action against the decision.
In a on Thursday the club said the top flight should have been resolved on the pitch rather than in the boardroom although they acknowledged PSG as the rightful winners.
And owner Jean-Michel Aulas fears the club could lose their most prized assets, including Depay if they cannot offer the prospect of starring on the European stage.
He told "I'm going to do everything to keep the players, but players programmed to play European competitions may want to look elsewhere because we are deprived of the Champions League.
"I have no news for now. Memphis tells me that he is ready to discuss [a new contract] when he returns. His agents say that he rather reflects on a leaving opportunity if we don't play in Europe."
The former Manchester United winger has just one year left to run on his contract with Les Gones and his last appearance came on December 15 when he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in the 1-0 defeat to Rennes.
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The Dutch star had been one of the league's standout players, racking up 14 goals in 18 appearances across all competitions and captaining the side five times.
It was a different story for Depay at Old Trafford where he mustered just seven goals in 53 appearances before being turfed out to the Groupama where has resurrected his career.
So much so that Tottenham, Liverpool and, more recently, Lazio have all been linked with moves for the forward.