Other clubs had expressed their interest
Memphis Depay has revealed why he chose a summer transfer window move to Manchester United over Paris Saint-Germain.
United recently confirmed the signing of Depay from Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven for £25 million, but the attacker admits it wasn’t as simple as that.
The Dutch international was close to joining Ligue 1 champions PSG, before a last minute phone call from the Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal changed Depay’s mind.
The major pull factor for the 21-year old was linking up with van Gaal again. The two worked closely with each other for the Netherlands national team, most recently at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil where they would be semi-finalists.
‘The transfer to PSG was really close’
When speaking to the Sun, Depay said: “The transfer to PSG was really close, I always knew United were interested but it was nothing concrete. Then at the last moment they called and I spoke with their coach.”
He also added: “It was a difficult situation but, after I spoke to Louis van Gaal, I said, ‘I am going to go to Manchester’.”
However, despite admitting it was a tough decision, the striker stated that it has always been a dream of his to play in the Premier League. Especially for Manchester United.
He acknowledged: “I’m really proud and I believe I can be a big player at Old Trafford. I will give everything I have. I said to myself when I was 12, ‘I want to play there’. It’s a dream come true.”
The forward scored 25 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions for both club and country this campaign.
By Kieran Makin
Twitter: @kieranmaksports
