Memphis Depay backed for transfer to 'bigger club' as Man Utd and Tottenham linked

Posted Thursday, November 14, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Memphis Depay backed for transfer to 'bigger club' as Man Utd and Tottenham linked
Memphis Depay has been tipped to leave Lyon, with Manchester United a possible destination (Image: GETTY)

Ronald Koeman has backed Memphis Depay to leave Lyon amid rumours of a Manchester United return.

Memphis Depay has been urged to leave Lyon for a ‘bigger club’ because it would help the national team, according to Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman.

Depay has been on fire since leaving Manchester United for Lyon in 2017, scoring 41 goals in 99 league outings.

Despite netting seven goals in his 10 domestic outings so far this season, Lyon are languishing in 14th place in Ligue 1, and the forward has been tipped to seek a move elsewhere.

“He plays at Lyon and is even their captain sometimes," Koeman said earlier this week.

"The fact that he doesn't play for the biggest team in the world clearly doesn't have consequences for his place in the national team.

“But if he plays at a bigger club, that will also be better for us.

"Still, Lyon is also a big club that always plays in the Champions League.

“Again, the fact that he plays in Lyon doesn't mean that he won't be selected for the national team.

"You always hope that every player plays for the biggest clubs that actually compete for the big prizes.

"I think he's the kind of player that should play at a club like that.

“If that's in the Premier League or at any other big club, that would be great for him.

“But you have to ask him about his plans."

Depay has been linked with a move back to the Premier League with both United and Tottenham, despite struggling during his time at Old Trafford.

The 25-year-old managed only seven goals across his 53 appearances for the Red Devils, but he revealed last year that Jose Mourinho wanted him to re-sign.

The winger said: "When I left, I said to Mourinho 'you will see me at the top.'

“He said 'OK. I hope that, and I hope we will buy you back one day.' I never had a bad relationship with him."