Manchester United transfer rumour: Memphis Depay set for a move to AS Roma
AS Roma have reportedly agreed to a deal to sign Manchester United misfit Memphis Depay on loan for the rest of the season with the option to make it a permanent move come the end of the season. The Dutch winger has failed to impress Jose Mourinho this season and could join the Serie A giants.
Memphis arrived at Old Trafford in July last year whilst the club were still under the stewardship of Louis van Gaal. Having impressed the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona manager, Depay arrived on British shores thanks to a successful €34 million deal struck by the Manchester club.
However, after having only played 134 minutes in all competitions this season under Jose Mourinho, the 22-year-old is reported to be angling for a move away from the club. Italian giants, AS Roma, are said to be interested in boosting their attacking options this season and believe Depay can provide them with what was missing.
With his option running till 2019, Manchester United are asking the Roman club to pay up €25 million to sign him permanently at the end of the season. And given Roma already have the likes of Stephen El Shaarawy and Mohamed Salah to play a direct game style, someone in the mould of Depay could help them experiment more in the final third.
Manchester United preparing for another busy summer next year
This could be great for both sides. Manchester United and Jose Mourinho are said to be preparing for a busy summer where they plan to sign a host of new players to ensure they keep up with the rest of the Premier League.
Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann is one of the touted targets, and to sign the Frenchman, Manchester United will need to clear their books and ensure they have enough money to sign him – given he's the kind of player who could force the club into breaking another transfer record.
United are also reportedly interested in signing Tottenham Hotspurs’ Dele Alli and could swoop in for him at the end of the season. With their midfield yet to click into gear, they're looking for players who could come in and do the job in the middle of the park.
Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti, and Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara are all reported targets for Jose Mourinho who is yet to find a winning formula with the club – five months into his job as manager of the most successful club in England.
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