AC Milan have reportedly turned their attention towards Manchester United winger Memphis Depay, as they have been unable to convince Everton to sell Gerard Deulofeu. Milan have been targeting the former Barcelona youngster, who is valued at around €15 million by Everton. He came to Merseyside for around €6 million back in the summer of 2015. Roberto Martinez was the manager who signed him from the Spanish club. As expected, he has faced challenges upon the arrival of a new manager in the form of Ronald Koeman.
Deulofeu has featured in only four league matches from the start and has played in less than 500 minutes of action. However, the recent injury to Yannick Bolasie, who could be out for up to a year, has put Everton short of players who can play on the wing. As a result, Everton have rejected the advances from Milan. The Italian outfit have reportedly turned their attention towards Depay, who has been tipped as one of the first names to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window.
Depay has had very little first-team football under José Mourinho. Everton will not be letting Milan have their hands on Depay easily, as the Merseyside club confirmed their interest in the Dutch winger a few weeks ago. Ronald Koeman was extremely positive about transforming the potential within Depay into actual performances on the pitch. In the last few days, however, they have been only involved in discussions with United for the transfer of Morgan Schneiderlin and not Depay.
Schneiderlin is expected to join United for around £22 million, a small loss over the £25 million paid by United for his signature in the summer of 2015. Meanwhile, Depay will bring in a significant loss to the club after having cost the same amount of money.
Armed with new Chinese investment, Milan are close to finding their former glory days. The club are even in a position to qualify for the Champions League next season as they are just five points behind Napoli, who occupy the third spot in the Italian Serie A. There is little doubt that joining the seven-time European champions will appeal to a player like Depay.
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