Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Memphis Depay, Radamel Falcao Rumours

The agent of Dutch starlet Memphis Depay says there have been no talks between the player and any interested club amid reported interest from Manchester United.

According to Mark Ogden of The Telegraph, the 21-year-old forward is a “potential target” of the Old Trafford club, and they will send scouts to watch him closely when the Netherlands take on Spain in an international friendly on Tuesday. But his adviser Kees Ploegsma has told Danish publication PLBOLD (h/t ESPN FC) there has been no contact as of yet.

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“No, there has been a lot of rumours, but he still has a contract with PSV, so for now he is in Eindhoven,” he said, per James Whaling of the Daily Mirror. “We have not been in contact with any clubs. They [Depay and Van Gaal] had good contact during the World Cup, but since then there has been no contact.”

Here’s a look at why Depay is catching the eye this season:

The PSV Eindhoven man has lit up the Eredivisie this season, scoring 17 goals and bagging three assists, per WhoScored.com, and pushing his team eight points clear of Ajax in the title race with just six matches remaining. As such, Depay has cemented his reputation—which grew in stature after a fine World Cup—as one of European football’s brightest talents.

As noted by WhoScored.com, despite playing primarily from the left-hand side, Depay is comfortably the top scorer in the division:

The then-Dutch manager Van Gaal utilised the player superbly during the Brazil showpiece, as he provided the Netherlands with an incisive edge in matches either from the start or coming off the bench. He also shone for a variety of roles in the team, something that would surely appeal to a manager who demands tactical flexibility from his players.

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Depay’s star is undeniably on the rise, and for United to land him would represent a superb piece of business. While he remains a little raw, all the requisite qualities are in place for this exciting young player to blossom into a winger of world-class calibre; the Red Devils faithful will be hoping that spectacular development can take place at Old Trafford.

Radamel Falcao Preserves United Hope

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Despite a tumultuous campaign on loan at United from Monaco, Radamel Falcao has yet to give up hope on earning a permanent move to the Red Devils.

While away on international duty, the Colombian forward has rediscovered some form with three goals in two matches. When asked about his potential long-term future with his current employers, Falcao insisted that he hopes these goals give him confidence to impress in the latter stages of his United loan, per Simon Jones of the Daily Mail:

"

I have faith about that and when the season finishes I am going to sit down and think about my future and what is the best for my career.

I think when I score it's always important and that gives me confidence. I said before I need minutes, I need to play games in a row and here in the national team I have had the opportunity. I gave my best and I scored and I now return to Manchester with more confidence.

"

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Falcao’s attitude has been nothing short of admirable during his time at United, but the devastating forensic streak that made him one of the game’s very best goalscorers seems to have deserted him. Indeed, as noted by WhoScored.com, he’s only netted four goals in Red Devils colours.

Sam Pilger of FourFourTwo pondered whether the player’s exploits on international duty will prompt Van Gaal into giving him a final chance:

You suspect it would have to be some end to the season for Falcao if he was to earn a deal, though.

Not only has his form been poor throughout the campaign, but the fee to sign him would be £43.2 million, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News. 

At 29 years old, even if Falcao did rediscover his very best form, United wouldn’t get many more years out of him. Van Gaal would be better off investing his transfer budget in burgeoning talents like Depay.