Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Hugo Lloris, Memphis Depay Rumours

Manchester United’s summer transfer plans are poised to hinge on the respective futures of Hugo Lloris and Gareth Bale, which are set to directly affect potential moves for David De Gea and Memphis Depay.

According to Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC, “sources” claim Lloris is currently on “stand-by” with the Red Devils, with Louis van Gaal seeing him as an ideal contingency plan for De Gea should he move to Real Madrid. 

United will also apparently look to include Bale as part of any transfer involving their goalkeeper to Los Blancos, and according to the piece, the enticing proposition of landing the Welshman has cooled United’s interest in PSV Eindhoven’s Depay.

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James Ducker of The Times thinks that if United can land Bale and Lloris at the expense of De Gea, it’s a deal definitely worth doing:

It’s an assessment that’s tough to disagree with. After all, the Spaniard has yet to commit his future to the Old Trafford club in the form of a long-term contract, and as such, rumours have been rife about a summer transfer. With just one season remaining on his deal, the situation puts United in a precarious financial predicament.

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There are few Red Devils supporters who would be keen on losing De Gea, however. As we can see, per the PFA, he’s enjoyed a magnificent campaign and was voted the best ‘keeper in the division by his fellow professionals:

Lloris would be a wonderful replacement, though. The Tottenham Hotspur man has blossomed into one of the very best stoppers around at White Hart Lane, and while he may cost a substantial amount, he’s the kind of player who could slot seamlessly into this team, immediately filling the void that would be left by someone of De Gea’s calibre.

As we can see here, courtesy of WhoScored.com, Lloris has made positive strides during his three years in English football:

In an ideal world, Van Gaal would fend off offers for the Spaniard and build a team on the stiff foundations he provides. But this is a saga that seems to be slipping through United’s fingers, and if the 24-year-old continues to take a reluctant stance on a new contract during the off-season, the club will have no choice but to sell up and protect their own investment.

One potential positive that could come from any deal for De Gea is the prospect of Bale donning the red shirt of United. 

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The Welshman has scored spades of goals and sampled myriad successes during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, but he’s still yet to fully convince a lot of Madridistas. As such, speculation regarding his future has raged.

Thom Gibbs of The Daily Telegraph spoke with Bleacher Report about how Bale might fit in at United:

But should United spend heavily to land Bale—at his previous club, a thoroughbred Premier League star—when they could pick up someone like Depay for what would be a cheaper premium? 

After all, while he’s not quite as accomplished as the Los Blancos star yet, the Dutchman has all the requisite qualities to thrive in the Premier League and blossom into a world-class player. Indeed, according to James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, United are keeping their options open when it comes to the potential pursuit of those players:

Bale would be a superstar acquisition and the kind of statement signing that would indicate United are emphatically on their way back. However, this is a squad in clear need of some youthful impetus, and while some patience may have to be exercised in waiting for him to refine, Depay would certainly refresh this Red Devils front line.