Manchester United to use Memphis Depay as bait in signing long-term Premier League target

Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane was linked to Manchester United last summer as well.

Manchester United are planning to use Dutch flop Memphis Depay as a bait in landing Southampton star Sadio Mane in the summer transfer window.

Depay moved to Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven last summer after helping his former club win the Eredivisie in the 2014-15 season. He was the top scorer in the Dutch league during that campaign.

However, the 22-year-old has failed to replicate his form for the Red Devils as he has continuously struggled in his debut season in the Premier League. He has scored only two league goals in 22 appearances so far this term.

According to The Daily Star, United are willing to sanction the sale of Depay if they manage to get the services of Mane, who has long been a transfer target for the Old Trafford club. He was linked with a move to United last summer and even in the January transfer window, but he was not allowed to leave his current employers.

Despite their failure to land the Senegalese international in the last two windows, United are still keen on making another approach for his signature after the end of the ongoing campaign.

Mane is still on the list of wanted players at Old Trafford and his Premier League experience, coupled with the pace could suit the 20-time English champions. Southampton may be forced to consider an offer to sell their forward, which could see them land Depay as a part of the swap deal.

The Saints manager Ronald Koeman is a big admirer of his compatriot and admitted that he wanted to sign the Dutch international for the South Coast club after he impressed in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

He said, "It is true, we were interested in Memphis Depay last year but we heard from his management that he wanted to stay one more year in Holland (at PSV) and then take the opportunity to play for a foreign club."

Koeman even revealed that he will jump on the opportunity to sign Depay if he is made available in the market.

"If one day he will be on the market, I'm interested yes but I don't think so because I believe in that player. It is a difficult time but (he is) still young. He has to improve a lot and he will go through all these difficult moments," Southampton boss said.

With Depay struggling at United, a swap deal should come as a win-win situation for the Dutch international, United, Mane and Southampton.

Quick Links

Edited by Staff Editor