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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 24:  Memphis Depay of Manchester United is watched by Rick Karsdorp of Feyenoord during the UEFA Europa League Group A match between Manchester United FC and Feyenoord at Old Trafford on November 24, 2016 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 24: Memphis Depay of Manchester United is watched by Rick Karsdorp of Feyenoord during the UEFA Europa League Group A match between Manchester United FC and Feyenoord at Old Trafford on November 24, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Manchester United Transfer News: New Rumours on Memphis Depay, Victor Lindelof

Gianni VerschuerenDec 16, 2016

Manchester United outcast Memphis Depay is closing in on a move away from the club, with Everton and Spartak Moscow said to be chasing his signature. Meanwhile, manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly made Benfica's Victor Lindelof his primary transfer target, but a January move seems unlikely.

According to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, Memphis is widely expected to follow team-mate Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton as soon as the January transfer window opens. Per the report, the move has already been all but finalised.

Toffees manager Ronald Koeman hasn't hidden his admiration for his compatriot, and following his disappointing first half of the season, a move for Memphis shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

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Manchester United's Dutch midfielder Memphis Depay (C) rips the shirt of Fenerbahce's Dutch forward Robin van Persie (R) as he struggles between Van Persie and Fenerbahce's Brazilian midfielder Souza (L) during the UEFA Europa League group A football matc

Per Luckhurst, Koeman has made it clear he believes Memphis can come good on his potential with more regular minutes: “He’s a young player with individual qualities, like aggression and efficiency. I would like him in January. He is a good and interesting player. He has shown that in his early days at Manchester United. But more recently it’s been less. He needs to play more games.”

The 22-year-old enjoyed much success with PSV Eindhoven, scoring easily in his final season in the Netherlands, but he never settled at Old Trafford. Memphis flashed his potential on rare occasions, but under Mourinho, he's barely had the opportunity to play.

Per Bleacher Report UK, a move is exactly what he needs:

With Yannick Bolasie out due to injury for the foreseeable future, Everton need to add another wide man in January. And Memphis presents the perfect solution. The Dutchman already knows the Premier League and will be anxious for a fresh start―this could be a perfect marriage.

There are other suitors as well. Per Vesti (h/t Metro), Spartak Moscow have also approached United and have already started talks. The same report also mentions AS Roma as a potential destination, although the Giallorossi would prefer a loan move.

Bleacher Report's Dean Jones added Fenerbahce to the list:

Meanwhile, Ben Burrows of the Daily Mirror reports Mourinho wants to add Lindelof to his team, but Benfica have made it clear to the Red Devils the Swedish defender will not be sold in January.

The 22-year-old has established himself as one of the finest young defenders in Europe during his time in Portugal, and he's been heavily scouted by a number of teams throughout the 2016-17 season.

LISBON, PORTUGAL - OCTOBER 23: SL Benfica's defender from Sweden Victor Lindelof in action during the Primeira Liga match between Belenenses and SL Benfica at Estadio do Restelo on October 23, 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal.  (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Image

As reported by O Jogo (h/t Sport Witness), Lindelof has a release clause of roughly £25 million, but certain Portuguese clauses are only valid during the summer. It's unclear whether that's the case with Lindelof, but one has to assume it is if Benfica have ruled out a January move.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

If Lindelof doesn't move in January―and Benfica's involvement in the UEFA Champions League makes that likely―United will still need to address the position in January, with Eric Bailly absent due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

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