Lyon sporting director Juninho has acknowledged that Manchester United have the first option to sign Memphis Depay, should he consider a fresh challenge away from Les Gones.
The Netherlands international moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2015 amid much fanfare, but he struggled to impress under Louis van Gaal and managed just seven goals and six assists from 53 appearances.
As a result, the 25-year-old was offloaded to Les Gones in the winter of 2017 and he has since transformed his fortunes, having contributed an impressive tally of 50 goals and 42 assists from just 130 games.
Owing to this, there has been speculation over Memphis pursuing a bigger challenge elsewhere and when asked about the same, Juninho stated that there are no proposals while revealing that United have the priority to make the first offer in case the forward wants to leave the club.
“Manchester has a priority if several clubs line up to buy him. But we have not received any offers so far. He is really happy right now in Lyon,” he was quoted as saying by the club’s official website.
Memphis made an impressive beginning to his United career and he came up with a match-winning brace in a Champions League play-off game against Club Brugge.
However, he could not replicate the same level of performance thereafter and his move to Lyon came about after he was clearly out-of-favour under then-manager Van Gaal.
A possible return to Old Trafford would offer Depay with the chance for redemption but it remains to be seen whether the Dutchman has the intention of making a comeback.
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