Manchester United have reportedly turned down a £13 million approach made by Lyon for Dutch attacker Memphis Depay.
According to Sky Sports, Manchester United have rejected a bid in the region of £13 million made by Ligue 1 giants Lyon for wantaway attacker Memphis Depay. The Dutchman has grown disgruntled due to the lack of playing time this season, and is looking for a move away from Old Trafford to bring his career back on the right track.
United manager Jose Mourinho has stated that he will allow the player to leave on a permanent basis, but will only accept an offer that he deems suitable to let go of him. The 22-year-old moved to Old Trafford last summer for £26 million and has not quite lived up to the billing.
Depay was a dead-ball specialist at his former side PSV Eindhoven, but he has not managed to replicate the success in the Premier League. Playing in his favoured left wing position, wearing the iconic number 7, Depay has failed to silence to his critics.
He was used regularly at the start of last season under manager Louis van Gaal, but the former Bayern Munich boss soon lost hope in the 22-year-old, and gave him a more withdrawn role in the first team.
The Dutchman made 29 league appearances last season, but started in just 16 of those games. His returns in front of goal were disappointing as he could only manage a return of two goals and zero assists throughout the course of the 2015/16 Premier League campaign (via WhoScored).
After van Gaal was relieved of his duties, former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho took over the reigns at Old Trafford. The Portuguese had a look at Depay in pre-season and did not appear to be overly pleased by his showings.
This season, in his four appearances off the bench in the Premier League, he has featured for a meagre 20 minutes combined, and is yet to be named in the starting eleven. Even in the Europa League, the player has craved for playing time, making just three cameo appearances.
Lyon are expected to revert with a bid closer to the £20 million mark, but are likely to receive stiff competitions from Everton to secure his services. The Toffees recently signed Morgan Schneiderlin from Manchester United, and manager Ronald Koeman is known to be a long-term admirer of his Dutch counterpart Depay.
