LYON sporting director Juninho delivered a stinging attack on Memphis Depay, who is set to sign for Barcelona.
The forward fancied a move to the Nou Camp last summer but the Spaniards could not afford to sign him.
Instead, with his contract expiring ths summer, he will leave for Barcelona on a free transfer.
Lyon chief Juninho confirmed the club made attempts to keep Depay, but took a swipe at the attacker for being too self-centered.
And he insisted the 27-year-old is not at the level of Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, therefore cannot expect preferential treatment.
Juninho told OLTV: “Memphis, he has done his time. The president made a lot of efforts for him to extend. Memphis, he wanted a team for him.
“That is not a criticism. I had a good relationship with him. However, it was as if the whole team had to work around him and that was very hard.
“Because everyone needs to feel like they are working equally.
“There are only 4 players in the world who you should do everything for him: Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Mbappe.
“If you have one of them, things should work around them. Sorry, I think Memphis is good, but not at the level of those four. And I think he needs to work more off of the ball.”
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The Dutchman, who scored 22 goals in 40 appearances this season, is set to be joined at Barca by Sergio Aguero, 32, who will leave Manchester City after the Champions League final.
Depay confirmed Lyon’s last game of the season would be his final for the club as he said farewell after four years in France.
He said to L’Equipe: “It will be strange to think that I will play my final game for the club on Sunday against Nice.
“I am a bit sad that I won’t be able to do that in front of the fans, in an empty stadium without my friends, the fans and my family.
“I’ve had some great times here. I have played in the Champions League, I have captained the team and I am a much better player now.
“I want to go to one of the two or three best clubs in the top five leagues. I don’t know where I will end up yet, but that’s my plan.
“If people don’t consider me a player of that level then they have a problem with me. If I am not on the list of great players then it’s their problem.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
