Olympique Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas admits Memphis Depay's collapsed move to Barcelona is a blow.

Barca were forced to pull out of a deal for Depay on Monday as Ousmane Dembele refused to accept a move to Manchester United before the summer market deadline fell.

Depay was a personal transfer request from Barca coach Ronald Koeman and the Catalans could now secure him to a pre-contract in January ahead of signing him for nothing in a Bosman transfer in June 2021.

A frustrated Aulas conceded: "It is not the best operation for us.

"We tried everything to make him renew, with some important proposals. Economically, it is not the best operation."