I spoke with Him in the camp and He has given me ASSURANCE that He will join”, Former Man United player Memphis Depay says He has successfully tried to convince His £80 m country man to join Man U after the EURO

Memphis Depay’s stint at Manchester United is not filled with many memorable highlights. Reflecting on his underwhelming time at Old Trafford, his tenure is often seen as disappointing. There were a few moments of brilliance, such as his spectacular solo goal against Club Brugge during the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds shortly after his £25 million transfer from PSV Eindhoven. Another standout was his impressive performance against FC Midtjylland, which left defender Andre Romer nearly in tears.

Despite spending two years in the Premier League, Depay managed just 33 appearances and scored only two goals. However, it seems that Memphis Depay might still play a pivotal role for Manchester United, almost a decade after his arrival. According to reports from Italy, his influence could be significant during the summer of 2024.

Reliable journalist Gianluca di Marzio has provided insights into Manchester United’s pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee. With negotiations for Zirkzee’s move to AC Milan stalling due to complications involving agent Kia Joorabchian, Manchester United appears to have taken the lead. They aim to secure the signing of the talented Dutch forward as their inaugural acquisition in the Ineos era.

While AC Milan remains a contender for Zirkzee’s signature, their focus seems to be shifting toward other attacking options. Di Marzio reports that Milan is considering Artem Dovbyk, Girona’s star and La Liga’s Golden Boot winner, and Ermedin Demirovic, Augsburg’s key player. Memphis Depay, now a free agent after his contract with Atletico Madrid ended, is also on their radar.

At 30, Depay is seven years older than Zirkzee and represents more of an immediate solution rather than a long-term investment. Nonetheless, he shares many qualities with Zirkzee that make him a desirable player. Depay is known for his intelligence and technical skills, operating as a hybrid between a number nine and a number ten.

AC Milan is in search of a center-forward who can bridge the gap between midfield and attack, creating opportunities for fast wingers like Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao. Zirkzee fits this role perfectly, which is why he is their primary target. However, Depay is emerging as a strong alternative.

Zirkzee, while not the most prolific goal-scorer, having netted only 12 goals for Bologna in the 2023/24 season, possesses attributes that could enhance Erik ten Hag’s system at Manchester United. His unselfish play and smooth link-up capabilities are reminiscent of Dimitar Berbatov, potentially bringing out the best in teammates like Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Bruno Fernandes. This style of play harks back to Anthony Martial’s prime before his injury setbacks.

Furthermore, Zirkzee’s release clause of £34 million makes him a more affordable option compared to other center-forwards on Manchester United’s radar, such as Ivan Toney and Viktor Gyokeres. This financial aspect, combined with his playing style, makes Zirkzee an attractive target for Manchester United as they seek to bolster their squad.