Man Utd make contact with Barcelona to resign Memphis Depay

FT Desk

• 26 Nov 2022 12:15 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United have opened talks over bringing Memphis Depay back to Old Trafford from Barcelona.

Depay was strongly linked with an exit from Barca over the summer after falling down the pecking order following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski.

The Netherlands international ultimately stayed put, but made just three appearances in all competitions before the 2022-23 season was put on hold for the World Cup in Qatar.

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United, meanwhile, are seeking a new striker following Cristiano Ronaldo's abrupt departure while on international duty with Portugal.

And they have turned their attentions to Memphis, who knows the Red Devils well having spent the 2016-17 season at the club prior to moving to Lyon.

A second chance at Old Trafford

According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Pettenberg talks have already begun between the two sides and the player with an eye to a January move.

Erik ten Hag is keen to sign his compatriot, who has proven himself a reliable goalscorer at Lyon and Barca after failing to meet expectations during his first spell at Old Trafford.

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Barcelona are equally enthusiastic about removing the striker's salary commitments from their books and could tear up his contract to facilitate a transfer, as they were reportedly prepared to do over the summer for Juventus before that deal fell through.

Memphis arrived at United in 2016 after shining as a youngster with PSV but struggled to make his mark, scoring just seven goals in 45 appearances during his only full season with the Reds.

He went on to net 76 times in 178 games for Lyon and returned a respectable haul of 13 in 39 at Barca during 2021-22, and his ability up front would be a valuable addition for a United side who have struggled for goals from centre-forward so far this term.