Man Utd not ruling out move to re-sign Memphis Depay

Manchester United have not ruled out making a move for former player Memphis Depay before the transfer window closes, 90min has learned.

Memphis, who left United in 2017 after an underwhelming two year spell at Old Trafford, is now 28 and had been close to joining Juventus had he been able to negotiate a free transfer out of current club Barcelona. That has failed to materialise, though Barcelona have been looking to offload a number of players to trim their squad and wage bill.

As it stands, Barcelona are set to sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea, and while Memphis could also still leave the Gabonese’s departure may allow a clearer pathway to more playing time if he stays with Barcelona.

90min reported in mid-August that manager Erik ten Hag wanted five players to arrive at the club before September 1 in order to bolster his options for the season ahead, with the capture of Casemiro from Real Madrid confirmed earlier this week. The Brazilian is slated to fill the position in defensive midfield – a problem area for United over a number of years.

The club have been looking at an additional central midfield option, along with a right back, wide forward and alternative striking option too – Memphis is seen as an option for the latter and United have not ruled out the move at the moment.

It’s assumed much would depend on the future of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has made no secret of his desire to leave United over the summer following their failure to qualify for the Champions League. Agent Jorge Mendes has approached a number of clubs over the possibility of signing Ronaldo.

United have also been pursuing Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong for the duration of the summer, and interest is still retained in the Dutchman even after the Casemiro signing. The club are however set to commit significant funds to the signing of now-priority signing Antony, a left-footed right winger from Ten Hag’s former club Ajax.

The deal for Antony is expected to close before next Thursday night’s deadline, though structure of a deal with Ajax has not yet been thrashed out. Personal terms are already understood to have been agreed between United and Antony, and he is set to become their second most expensive signing of all time behind Paul Pogba when a deal is struck.

United hold interest in Barcelona’s Sergino Dest as an option at right back, while they are also chasing Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka as an alternative to David de Gea – who has had a rocky start to the new season under Ten Hag’s leadership.