Olympique Lyon starts tonight from 21.00 hours without Memphis Depay on the away game against Montpellier. The Dutch attacker is with Lesson Gones travelled to the South of France, but was posted on the bench by coach Rudi Garcia, in all likelihood awaiting a transfer to Barcelona. Tino Kadewere replaces Depay in the point of attack.

The transfer from Depay to Barcelona has been in the pipeline for some time now. So far Garcia has had his attack leader play from the base this season in the Ligue 1, but tonight he will start on the reserve bench. The Telegraph ended last night with the news that Lyon has agreed with Barcelona for at least thirty million euros on a transfer from Depay to the Camp Nou; French media are relying on the fact that the reserve of the rush hour is linked to an approaching departure.

Depay’s reserve innings can easily be called a rarity: since Garcia’s arrival in Lyon in October 2019, the national team has played 21 of its 22 games in all leagues as a base player. Depay scored three goals against Dijon (4-1 win) on the opening game of the season; last Friday, he came no further than a goalless draw with Lyon against Bordeaux.

Setup Olympique Lyon: Lopes; Andersen, Marcelo, Denayer; Dubois, Caqueret, Guimarães, Cornet; Toko-Ekambi, Kadewere, Aouar.

Reserves: Racioppi, Bard, Koné, Diomandé, Jean Lucas, Cherki, Depay, Dembélé