Memphis Depay has certainly not found things easy at Manchester United since his £25m move to Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven in 2015, and it seems his troubled spell with the Red Devils could be drawing to a close.
The Dutch ace, still just 22, has played only 24 minutes of Premier League football this season and has started once under Jose Mourinho, which makes it abundantly clear the winger is seen as surplus to requirements in the eyes of the Portuguese boss.
Still with bags of potential, though, Ronald Koeman has expressed his desire to sign his compatriot for Everton in a recent interview in which he said “I would like him in January” and it raises an intriguing prospect for the club, who could be the ones to put Depay back on the track to stardom.
It will certainly be a bumpy ride for all involved, but this move makes perfect sense for all three parties involved – and we’ve got FOUR reasons why that’s the case here.
The Koeman factor…
The first factor in a deal, and potentially a major one, would see Koeman unite with one of the most talented youngsters in Dutch football. Depay should thrive under the guidance of his compatriot, who is far less strict than Jose Mourinho.
Depay needs to be put on the straight and narrow, which is something Mourinho has never really done with his players, but Koeman could certainly be the one to ensure Depay’s career starts moving in the right direction once again.
With significantly less pressure than he has on his shoulders at Old Trafford and a manager that’s prepared to take that weight off of him, Depay could thrive at Goodison Park.
Depay still has bags of potential
Still just 22, Depay showed his class whilst on international duty for the Netherlands this week as he scored a brace in a 3-1 victory over Luxembourg. Sure, the European minnows aren’t the most testing of opponents but it should give Depay a big confidence boost.
He’s still regarded as one of the brightest prospects in European football and just needs the guidance that Koeman can provide. If Everton can help him fulfil his potential, then their own aims this season and beyond will get a massive boost, whilst he also presents tremendous sell-on value in the future.
Good enough to feature regularly
Everton have a tremendously talented squad but their competition for places is far less significant than Depay is used to at Manchester United, which will mean that the Dutch talent will earn much more playing time at Goodison Park than he’s used to now.
Depay could easily be an instant starter at Everton, or an option off the bench, which is still a better position than he’s in with United. With that sort of opportunity, it should drive Depay on to succeed and prove himself – as he knows his goals are in sight.
For Everton, he could add tremendously to their already superb attacking partnership of Yannick Bolasie and Romelu Lukaku.
Nothing to lose
Perhaps the biggest case of them all, Everton really do have nothing to lose in signing Depay. They’d get him for a smaller fee than you’d expect from a player of his age and ability, and he possesses tremendous sell-on value in the future.
The worst case scenario is Depay flops and is sold abroad, which would raise more questions about Depay’s failed potential than it would about Everton’s transfer activity. If he succeeds at Everton, then the Toffees would reap the rewards.
Koeman really can get the best out of Depay, so this is a gamble he has to take.
