Manchester United transfer rumour: Jose Mourinho willing to sell Memphis Depay for just £12 million
Memphis Depay’s career at Manchester United is only going downhill. The Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford with a price tag of £25m but has failed to live up to all expectations so far. So much so, that United boss Jose Mourinho is willing to flop the winger in a cut-price deal in the winter transfer window.
It has recently come to light that Depay is United’s most popular star when it comes to shirt sales. He is only behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in spite of struggling at United. However, the Daily Star has reported that the shirt sales and popularity count for nothing in Mourinho’s book.
As far as the Portuguese boss is concerned, Depay has failed to perform despite being handed numerous opportunities at United. If the winger was to leave in January for a cut-price deal, united would incur a huge loss but Mourinho is unmoved by that.
Also read: EPL 2016/17: Manchester United hold talks with Everton over Schneiderlin and Depay
Now according to the Mirror, United are prepared to sell off Depay to Everton. Ronald Koeman, reportedly, is confident of revitalising the player’s career. However, he is prepared to pay a fee of around £12 million and not more. At that price, the deal could be justified as it is a gamble to sign a player with a downward career graph.
It is apparent that the 20-time Premier League champions are desperate to get rid of the struggling 22-year-old. The desperation now seems to have hit its climax as United are itching to sell, regardless of the circumstances, just so they can get him off their wage bill.
Also read: Manchester United news: Arjen Robben advises Memphis Depay to leave Old Trafford in January
In 2015, United had to beat the likes of Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain in order to land the talented youngster. Louis Van Gaal, who was United’s manager back then, pushed through a deal even before the summer window opened so as to secure the Dutchman.
One of Holland’s brightest stars at the 2014 World Cup, Depay was tipped for big things. However, he has struggled to settle in England and has made just 16 league starts, scoring seven times across all competitions.
Under Mourinho, he has started just once, in an EFL Cup fixture against Northampton but failed to take the opportunity. Since the end of November, he has not even featured in the squad and looks like a forlorn figure at Carrington. The likes of Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have given a better showing and have secured their places in the squad ahead of Depay.