According to various reports, Manchester United are close to signing PSV Eindhoven forward Memphis Depay this summer. The 21-year-old has been outstanding in the Dutch Eredivisie this season, helping his team win the league title. He scored 20 goals in 27 games, and has made it clear he wants to join a top side ahead of next season.
“We have had a telephone call from (Man Utd) about him. But no talks have been held yet. There are several top clubs who have expressed an interest. He will be very expensive. It will be much higher than the (£14.5M) offer from Tottenham Hotspur,” said PSV technical director Marcel Brands.
Manchester United are considered as one of the favourites to secure his signature due to a number of factors. First, it is important to note that Depay worked with Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal during his time with the Netherlands. In addition, the likes of Robin Van Persie, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young are perhaps nearing the end of their United career due to a combination of factors, including their advanced age. On-loan striker Radamel Falcao, nearing the end of a disappointing spell at Old Trafford, is set to return to Monaco, so the Premier League giants are in need of reinforcements.
It is somewhat surprising that Depay seems to be getting the attention now despite an outstanding breakthrough season in 2013/14 – scoring 12 goals & making 7 assists in 32 games. He has been setting the division alight for two years, yet has only begun to garner attention in recent weeks. Deepay is destined to leave according to his manager Phillip Cocu, who said: “The chance is really good… But I do hope we’ll be able to keep the rest of the team.”
Depay is certainly ready for a big-money move. He is full of confidence in his ability, and has been consistent over the entire campaign. During a rather impressive season, Deepay has provided moments of individual brilliance, and the 21-year-old has made over 100 successful dribbles, while creating 56 chances.
He is sometimes guilty of being wasteful in possession, however, with 65 of his shots being off-target, as well as being dispossessed 62 times when in control of the ball. Depay is a talented player, but certainly needs to work harder as well as get better guidance in order to reach his best potential. Van Gaal could well be the man to guide him in the coming years, and United are known to be willing to pay whatever it takes to land their man.
Could Memphis Depay be a hit at Old Trafford?
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