Memphis Depay could help Manchester United pull off an exciting £34million move

Two years in the Premier League, 33 appearances and just two goals.

But could Memphis Depay’s greatest contribution to the Manchester United cause come in the summer of 2024, almost a decade after he arrived at Old Trafford in the first place?

Maybe so, if reports from Italy are to be believed.

Manchester United hope to win Joshua Zirkzee’s race

The ever-reliable Gianluca di Marzio gave his take on the Joshua Zirkzee situation this week. With talk of a move to AC Milan stalling due to the involvement of Kia Joorabchian’s agent, Man United appear to have stolen a march on Rossoneri as they look to make the elegant Dutchman their first signature of the Ineos era.

Now, Milan is still not out of the picture. Away from. But with Di Marzio reporting that the seven-time European champions are shifting their focus to alternative attacking targets, it appears confidence is waning at the San Siro.

Di Marzio says Milan like Girona powerhouse and La Liga Golden Boot winner Artem Dovbyk. There is interest in Augsburg talisman Ermedin Demirovic. Also Memphis Depay, the 30-year-old now a free agent after his contract with Atletico Madrid expired at the end of last season.

Depay, while seven years older with Zirkzee (less a short-term solution and more a quick fix) possesses many of the attributes that have made his fellow Dutchman one of the most coveted young strikers in Europe. Depay is a very intelligent, very technical footballer. Not quite a number nine, not quite a number ten, but somewhere in between.

AC Milan are now targeting Memphis Depay

Milan want a centre-forward capable of providing a link between midfield and attack; opening up spaces for jet-heeled wide men Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao. That’s why Zirkzee is their main target. And hence why Memphis Depay emerges as a top alternative.

Zirkzee is not the most prolific centre-forward in world football. He scored just 12 times for Bologna in 2023/24 and may not have the same surface instincts as Rasmus Hojlund. But there is a sense that Erik ten Hag’s system would be greatly improved by the inclusion of an unselfish, almost Dimitar Berbatov type of playmaker coming through the middle.

One who has effortless link-up play and clever movement could bring out the best in Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes, almost like Anthony Martial in his pre-injury prime.

Furthermore, with a £34m release clause in his contract, 23-year-old Zirkzee is available for significantly less than some of the other centre-forwards on Man United’s radar, such as Ivan Toney and Viktor Gyokeres.

Similar topics