Manchester United, Liverpool, PSG, and Bayern Munich are all in the race to sign Memphis Depay this summer, but which club would be the best fit for the young winger?
- By Michael Bell
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Manchester United
Currently seen as the favourites to sign Depay according to various media outlets, Manchester United have several advantages over some of their rivals to sign the winger. United boss Louis van Gaal handed Memphis Depay his Netherlands debut, and believed so much in his ability that the 20-year-old made his World Cup squad last summer before going on to score twice in the tournament. Van Gaal is like a father figure for Depay, and the winger would be given the time to find his feet under a coach who believes in his abilities.
In United assistant Ryan Giggs, Depay would have one of the greatest left wingers to have played the game to learn from and develop his skills, while it was in Manchester that Cristiano Ronaldo turned from raw potential to world class, something that Depay will undoubtedly be thinking of as the Real Madrid star is one of his inspirations.
The only issue for Depay is whether Manchester United would be able to offer the 21-year-old a regular first team place with Angel di Maria, Juan Mata, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, and Adnan Januzaj all wingers at the club, while Nani returns from a loan spell this summer. Of course no player should be guaranteed a first team place, but it could prove catastrophic for his development if Depay is rooted to the bench- Just ask Shinji Kagawa.
Verdict: Manchester United can offer Memphis Depay everything he wants and that makes them the favourites. His relationship with Van Gaal is crucial, but so is the opportunity to learn from Giggs, and develop not only in the Premier League, but also the Champions League.
Liverpool
The second Premier League club in the race is Liverpool, who have been following Depay very closely all season and have been in regular contact with PSV Eindhoven over his progress. Liverpool are clearly pushing hard to sign the winger, and with question marks over the future of Raheem Sterling, Memphis Depay would be a perfect replacement and possibly even an upgrade.
First team opportunities are more guaranteed at Liverpool than Manchester United, but the Anfield club are currently not in the top four of the Premier league, and Champions League football is looking unlikely. Depay has already commented this season that he would only leave PSV for a club in the Champions League, and that would seemingly rule out Liverpool if they don’t make a late surge for the top four.
Finances are another question mark surrounding Liverpool’s interest with Voetbal International reporting that the club may not be willing to match the PSV asking price which could be as high as €30 million, plus the players wage demands, which will be big (€190,000 a week according to Mirror).
Verdict: A lot of uncertainties surround Liverpool’s interest. Seems dependent on Sterling, finances, and Champions League. They could be stumped by a more decisive club, who are able to provide everything Memphis wants.
Bayern Munich
Monday night brought reports from newspaper Eindhoven Dagblad that German giants Bayern Munich could enter the race to sign Depay, but their interest is so far the least concrete out of the four clubs linked. Bayern failed with a move to sign Depay last summer, and the winger is on a shortlist of targets this summer, along with Kevin de Bruyne, and Gareth Bale.
Depay has been labeled the new Arjen Robben on several occasions, and he would undoubtedly relish the idea of playing alongside his fellow Dutchman week in week out, as well as Franck Ribery and Mario Gotze. Bayern Munich would offer Depay the best chance of the title’s and success that the 21-year-old strives for, but like at Manchester United, he would possibly have to be patient in waiting for a first team chance.
Verdict: At the moment the seriousness of Bayern Munich’s interest is unknown, but if they make a concrete bid it would make them biggest challengers to Manchester United. Depay wan’t success, and at Bayern he would be have the best chance of glory.
PSG
The French champions are reportedly pulling out all the stops to sign Depay, and have already held initial talks with the winger as they outlined their plans for him. PSG failed with a bid in January, but are determined not to be beaten by their rivals as they look to upgrade their squad for next season.
PSG have shown a willingness to develop young talents into their squad, with the likes of Marco Verratti, Marquinhos, and Lucas all joining the club in recent years and shining in the Champions League. Ligue 1 is clearly not as strong as either the Premier league or the Bundesliga, but it could be an intermediate step for Depay, and a league in which he could develop further.
Verdict: The Premier league is reportedly Depay’s preference, but if a move to Manchester United doesn’t materialise then PSG would be a good choice. The opportunity for regular playing time and Champions League, could turn Depay’s head toward Paris.
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how about staying at PSV for another season?
Liverpool fc
Ynwa
Come to liverpool