Real Madrid Transfer News: Memphis Depay Eyed Amid Cristiano Ronaldo Rumours

Manchester United’s Memphis Depay has reportedly emerged as a shock candidate to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid should the Portuguese leave the club next summer.

According to Don Balon (h/t Mark Brus of Metro) the former PSV Eindhoven man is admired by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez despite his tough start to life in the Premier League. It’s noted in the piece there has been talk of Ronaldo leaving Los Blancos recently, which may prompt Los Blancos into making a move for Memphis.

PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/Getty Images

Remarkably, according to Brus, Don Balon said the Red Devils would be looking to recoup a fee of £64 million if they were to sell the 21-year-old despite agreeing a reported £31 million package with PSV for his acquisition in the summer.

Here’s a reminder of why United parted with such a substantial amount to bring Memphis to the club and why Real might be interested in the Netherlands international:

There are definitely some stylistic similarities between Memphis and Ronaldo. During the latter’s early days at Old Trafford, he was often far too flashy in his play, made poor decisions and was too selfish in possession. The current United No. 7 has shown glimpses of raw ability but comparably frustrating qualities.

Memphis has been taken out of the firing line by manager Louis van Gaal as of late, not starting a Premier League game since the loss to Arsenal in early October, though he has been injured in that time. As noted by Kevin Palmer of ESPN FC, his overlooking is not something the winger seems to have taken well:

However, these are issues you’d expect with any young player. Memphis is still a malleable footballer and the manner in which he is developed at United will ultimately determine just how successful a career he has. Van Gaal can be a hard taskmaster, but you can bet the winger will learn plenty while under his tutelage.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Links to teams such as Real are a measure of Memphis' astonishing talent, and they’re qualities United will surely look to make the most of in the long run. Given the team has endured three 0-0 draws in succession, perhaps Van Gaal will recall the summer signing as soon as he regains fitness to give the Red Devils an edge going forward.

As noted by Eric Wynalda of Fox Sports, watching the Red Devils has been a pretty arduous task as of late:

Even though Memphis has endured a mixed beginning to United life, it’d be remarkably rash of the Red Devils to let him leave and hugely unlikely for Real Madrid to part with such a staggering amount for the player. So for the time being, don’t expect the United No. 7 to go anywhere.

As rumours continue to swirl about Ronaldo’s future, you can bet the Blancos hierarchy will be considering potential replacements. Memphis has the natural talent to get close to those standards eventually, but for the time being, he remains a long way off the finished article and will continue his journey toward that level at Old Trafford.