LIVERPOOL are ready to rival Tottenham in the race for Lyon forward Memphis Depay, according to reports in Italy.
The Dutchman swapped the Premier League for Ligue 1 in 2017 after ending his nightmare two-season spell at Manchester United.
Depay has since been rejuvenated at Lyon, notching 12 goals and 16 assists last season and beginning this campaign netting 11 times already.
The Dutchmans scoring form has attracted attention from European champions Liverpool and Spurs, Calciomercato report.
But United, who flogged the 25-year-old for 17m after just 53 appearances, have a buy-back clause on the versatile forward.
Though Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is yet to show interest in Depay.
Solskjaer instead has Borussia Dortmund wideman Jadon Sancho, 19, at the top of his transfer list.
Ex-Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was planning a winter swoop for 50million rated Depay.
But Lyon’s director of football, Juninho, insisted Depay is happy at Les Gones and hopes to extend his contract beyond its end in June 2021.
However, if the forward declines a contract extension it is likely he will be sold before his existing one runs out so Lyon can recoup some of their investment.
Depay only scored seven goals in England, but he claimed his vast improvement in France is down to being “more mature” – and because the Premier League is so tough.
He told The Mirror: “My mental state is different. I was 21 back then when I was with United and now I am 25 so obviously I am a more matured human being now, than when I was in Manchester.
“Also there is a difference between the French game and the English game and the main difference is the speed of the ball.
“In England it goes very fast, attack and defence and attack and defence again.
“The French game you feel more the control and trying to find our moments and we are all more relaxed playing the ball to each other.”
