Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Ivan Rakitic, Memphis Depay

Manchester United reportedly attempted to lure Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic to Old Trafford in the summer with an annual salary offer of €10 million (£8.6 million).

According to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Sport Witness), talks are about to begin between the player and the Camp Nou club over a new contract. However, it’s noted that United were in for the 28-year-old ahead of this campaign, and according to Mundo Deportivo’s Josep M. Artelis, there is a lingering interest—a "siren song"—in the player.

Here’s a look at how the story was covered in the newspaper, including a mention of United and manager Jose Mourinho on the front page, courtesy of 101 Great Goals.

With his deal set to expire in 2019, Barcelona will likely be desperate to get Rakitic tied to new terms. Since joining the club from Sevilla in 2014, he’s excelled, forming a wonderful trio at the hub of the team alongside Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

Here’s reminder of why so many consider the midfield man among the best playmakers in the game:

Rakitic is among the best passers in world football, able to locate team-mates with driven and threaded balls. As a complement to those intricate skills, there’s also a steely side to the Croatian’s game, as he boasts tremendous energy and an understated physicality.

Additionally, Rakitic also has a knack of finding the back of the net in key games for Barcelona. While not as prolific as some of the Blaugrana’s superstar attacking talents, these numbers from Bleacher Report's Rik Sharma suggest that when the midfielder scores, it’s often important.

The Barca man would be a dream partner for a player such as Paul Pogba, and his signing would be a major coup for United if he could be convinced to join. However, he’s playing a key role for a side regularly challenging for the biggest honours in the game. More than a lucrative salary would likely be needed to leave that behind.

Juventus Scout Memphis Depay

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According to Calciomercato (h/t Uche Amako of the Daily Express) Juventus scouted United winger Memphis Depay during the Netherlands' showdown with Belgium on Wednesday.

The report suggested the Italian champions want to add another winger to their squad and ran the rule over Memphis, who made a substitute appearance. As noted by Amako, a string of clubs have been linked with moves for the 22-year-old, including Everton, Roma and AC Milan.

Given his struggles at Old Trafford, a January switch would make plenty of sense for the former PSV Eindhoven man. This statistic from Goal UK sums up just how tough Memphis has been finding things at United so far this season:

The winger's marginalisation at club level has been a huge shame. After all, when he arrived at United in 2015, there was great excitement, with the Red Devils having seemingly landed one of the top prospects in European football. However, the transition from the Eredivisie to the Premier League has been a testing one for the player.

The Oranje starlet is still young and still has time to make a career for himself with United. However, he seems a long way down Mourinho’s pecking order. A loan move in January and a chance to show what he’s capable of elsewhere would be an ideal solution.