Memphis Depay is likely to spend most of January on the hunt for a new club after being told he is surplus to requirements at Manchester United.
The Dutchman has himself informed Jose Mourinho he wishes to quit Old Trafford, so it now seems only a matter of time before he wraps up his 18-month spell in the north-west.
The 22-year-old has been most heavily linked with Everton, though it’s believed a number of clubs abroad have also been looking at him. He has made just four substitute appearances in the league this season.
One destination which cannot be entirely ruled out is Nice, but the surprise Ligue 1 leaders – who signed Mario Balotelli on a free transfer from Liverpool in the summer – will have to resort to signing him on loan if they are that keen.
Club president Jean-Pierre Rivere told radio station RMC:
“We looked at him, as did a lot of clubs, but it’s extremely difficult,” Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere, who orchestrated the Balotelli signing, told RMC.
“Depay… it’s not a hot one at all. It’s a matter that isn’t within our financial means.
“You have a club that bought him for a certain amount, and wishes to sell him.
“Manchester United bought him for a lot of money, and they perhaps wish to sell him, but we cannot be in the race in these sorts of cases.”
United signed the winger for £25million, so they are reluctant to make too much of a loss. They have already shown they are willing to stand firm on prices by rejecting bids for Morgan Schneiderlin, even though he too has no future at the Theatre of Dreams.
At that sort of price, Memphis is going to be a huge punt for whichever club eventually takes him on, and he is going to have a lot to prove if he is sent out on loan as expected.
Check out Football Advisor for profitable betting predictions
