Manchester United player Memphis Depay preparing for Lyon transferMemphis Depay looks set to complete a Man Utd transfer to Lyon after playing in just one fixture under Jose Mourinho.
Memphis could leave Manchester United before the end of the week as Lyon continue their pursuit of a transfer for the Dutchman.M.E.N. Sport understands the clubs are still yet to agree a fee for the player but a permanent deal could be concluded this week and Memphis is also believed to be already planning for his unveiling in France.
United rejected an opening £13million bid from Lyon for Memphis and are holding out for £18m, having paid an initial £26.3m for the 22-year-old 18 months ago.Memphis has lined up just once under Jose Mourinho - at Northampton in the EFL Cup - and has been excluded from the last 12 matchday squads as he focuses on completing a move.
"He was not playing last season. It was not that last season he was playing phenomenally and this season he is not playing at all. That’s not the situation," Mourinho said.
"I have to say that in the past couple of months my decisions in relation to Memphis were influenced by the feelings and information that he would like to leave in January and that we were going to have a real offer that we would be willing to accept. That obviously influences me.
"If I know, if I have the feeling that a player is leaving - if I have to give chances and develop other players - then I go to Lingard, Mkhitaryan, Martial, the players I know 100 per cent who are going to stay with us. It is a position where we have more options."
The Netherlands international was keen on following Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton, where he would have teamed up with compatriot Ronald Koeman, and personal terms were understood to have been agreed. However, Everton ultimately prioritised the £20m signing of Schneiderlin.
M.E.N. Sport revealed last month Mourinho expected Memphis and Schneiderlin to leave in January. Memphis is the only outfield player in the United squad to have been restricted to one start this term and he was dropped from the Europa League squad at Fenerbahce last month after under-performing in training.
Memphis' probable departure will leave the number seven vacant ahead of the summer transfer window. United have prioritised signing Mourinho is hopeful United’s French contingent will convince Antoine Griezmann to join the club.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-united-transfer-news-memphis-12470057
