The La Liga giants were looking to add Depay to their ranks during the summer transfer window, as new head coach Ronald Koeman is said to be a fan of his compatriot, but any move to secure the services of the former Manchester United man could not materialize.
Despite the failure to play in La Liga with the Blaugrana, Depay says he is ready to give his all for Lyon, having already made six Ligue 1 appearances for Rudi Garcia’s men this season.
“I’m proud of playing for Lyon and proud of being captain,” he told a press conference ahead of the Kids’ visit to Stade de la Meinau to face Strasbourg on Sunday.
“I think a lot of things have been misunderstood. Clubs were interested, but I’m here. Now I must think of the present and speak about my team.”
“I don’t know what will happen in the future. It’s my fourth season with Lyon and I want to make the most of it. I love this club, even if some people have their doubts. My aim is that the club goes back into the Champions League.”
Depay’s team-mates Houssem Aouar and Moussa Dembele were also linked with moves away from the Groupama Stadium this summer, with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur all said to be yearning to secure their services, but the duo eventually stayed in Lyon just like the Dutchman.
“We’ve got a number of talented players in the team,” he added.
“I’m happy that Houssem Aouar will stay with us. I know that Moussa Dembele has a great capacity to score goals and he will score them. It’s up to the team to do what it takes.”
