Manager confirms Everton talks for FC Barcelona attacker Memphis Depay during Manchester United days
Ronald Koeman confirms that he wanted to bring FC Barcelona attacker Memphis Depay to Everton from Manchester United during his days in the Premier League.
The former Toffees boss who played a key role in bringing Memphis to Camp Nou when he was Barcelona manager, gave an interview to Dutch media outlet Voetbal International. [16 November]
In that conversation, he waxed lyrical over the former Eredivisie Golden Boot winner and explained his desire to bring him to Goodison Park.
Koeman said, “During that conversation, I noticed what a good boy he is and that feeling was only reinforced when I later started working with him at Orange and Barcelona. Memphis is a fantastic guy and a great professional. Everything he does is all about being as fit and as good as possible.”
Bullet dodged?
Depay came to the Premier League with so much hype when he joined Manchester United under compatriot Louis van Gaal.
Everyone thought that United had got their hands on an attacker who’s on the cusp of being world class and could drive them closer to the Premier League.
However, as we all know, that did not happen, and he ended up leaving Old Trafford with his tail between his legs.
At that point, Koeman tried bringing him but he did not move to Goodison Park and instead left for Lyon where he had a bit of a resurgence and ended up winning himself a move to Camp Nou.
Everton have always looked to turn to big clubs to sign their players that were billed to be good transfers but failed to live up to the billing there.
Their policy now seems to have changed and they’re looking at players that are in form and on verge of taking their game to the next level.