Manchester United’s outcast is on the verge of a January move to Lyon not long after Everton appeared to be his most likely destination.
Just two months ago, Everton boss Ronald Koeman informed De Tafel van Kees of his intention to make an approach for Memphis Depay in January.
“I would like to have him. I think he is an interesting player. He has great individual qualities. He just needs to play games,” the Dutch legend said.
However, in the proceeding weeks, Everton’s interest appeared to dry up to the point that the winger’s £21.7 million switch to Ligue 1 and Lyon, according to the Express, has appeared a formality for quite some time.
However, according to The Express, it was not so much Depay’s inability to adapt to the English game that convinced Koeman not to persist with his initial interest. Instead, alleged attitude problems put pay to the former PSV star’s chances of kick-starting his Premier League career on Merseyside.
Former Dutch international Youri Mulder claimed in 2015 that his compatriot’s ‘big star’ attitude was starting to rankle at United, as reported by The Telegraph, especially as his performances were more akin to infamous flop Bebe than the legendary United number sevens of old.
And Koeman, as demonstrated through his public criticism of Ross Barkley and his marginalisation of Gerard Deulofeu, values effort and professionalism above even natural talent.
Therefore, while Everton’s decision to call off their pursuit of the mercurial wide man speaks volumes about Depay’s reputation, it says even more about Koeman’s desire to build a Toffees team high on desire and determination and low on insolence.
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