Everton are still keen to sign Olympique Lyonnais forward Memphis Depay, with Director of Football Marcel Brands a known admirer of the Dutchman, according to The Athletic.
Depay is first thought to have been a target for the club during Ronald Koeman’s tenure in charge, but we failed to sign the 25-year-old who has flourished in Ligue 1 following his less-than-stellar stint with Manchester United.
But being unsuccessful a few years ago has not scrubbed Depay’s name from the list of potential targets at Goodison Park, as Brands is said to like the player and courted his signature last summer.
Again no deal could be had and Depay remained with Les Gones, whom he has been involved in 16 goals for this season across all competitions, with 14 strikes to his name alongside two assists.
Depay has not featured in any competition since a 1-0 league defeat at home to Stade Rennais in December, having torn his anterior cruciate ligament in the match and been sidelined for a potential six months.
The £49.5million-rated attacking star’s place under Koeman in the Netherlands’ Euro 2020 squad could be at risk as a result of the blow, with the tournament set to take place in June and July.
Would you sign Depay in the summer?
Yes
No
The PSV Eindhoven product was an unmitigated disaster at Old Trafford on the back of his £30m move, with Depay scoring just seven times in 53 appearances and making 17 of his 33 Premier League outings as a substitute.
He revitalised his career on the back of a £21.7m move to Lyon in 2017, where the 52-cap international has proven to be prolific as an out-and-out centre-forward with 15 of his 53 goals coming in the role.
It was no wonder that his talents appealed to Brands last summer, after our Director of Football and Head of Recruitment Gretar Steinsson attended Lyon’s Ligue 1 clash with LOSC Lille in May to personally scout the Dutchman.
No move was made in the summer when Depay was allegedly offered to us, but that made sense given the 25-year-old was claimed to have laughed off our interest as the Toffees were not prestigious enough under Marco Silva to be worth his consideration.
Yet it was a mistake not to venture further down the path to signing Depay in the summer when he was offered to us, and Brands continuing to track his situation across the Channel is a strong indication to the Dutchman thinking likewise.
No move will be made in January given Depay’s injury, but a move in the summer should remain in consideration over the coming months depending on the form displayed by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and importantly Moise Kean.
In other Everton news, the club are said to be courting a £34million forward.