Manchester United transfer news: Memphis Depay sees Nice loan escape route rejected as Red Devils only want to sell him
Winger will be allowed to leave Old Trafford this month but Jose Mourinho will only let him go for permanent transfer fee
FRENCH league leaders Nice admit they’ve failed with a loan bid for Manchester United outcast Memphis Depay.
The winger is out of favour under Jose Mourinho and will be allowed to leave Old Trafford this month.
However, United are only considering offers to take Depay off their hands permanently, and Nice concede they are unable to afford the temperamental Dutchman despite making him one of their top January targets.
President Jean Pierre Rivere said: “We looked at him, like a lot of clubs have, but it is extremely complicated.
“It is a situation which is out of our financial reach. You have a club that bought him for a certain amount, that wants to sell him.”
Nice have a reputation for gambling on stars who have fallen on hard times, with Hatem Ben Arfa rebuilding his career there before earning a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Mario Balotelli is currently undergoing a revival at the Ligue 1 side after flopping with Liverpool, but it seems Depay will not be handed the chance to prove himself alongside the Italian.
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Many teams are interested, including Premier League rivals Everton.
But Ronald Koeman is also just looking to sign Depay on loan, despite closing in on a permanent deal for United teammate Morgan Schneiderlin.