Manchester United target Memphis Depay: 'Best clubs in Europe' enquiring over winger

PSV Eindhoven have warned Manchester United the "best clubs in Europe" have enquired over the availability of Memphis Depay, who is set to leave the Eredivisie champions elect at the end of the season.

Depay has been linked with a host of clubs including Liverpool, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, with manager Phillip Cocu admitting the player will leave in the summer.

The versatile Netherlands international has scored 19 goals this season and is understood to have a close relationship with United manager Louis van Gaal but the club face competition for his signature, according to PSV director Marcel Brands.

"The chances are very high that he leaves," Brands told ANP. "If you see what clubs are enquiring about him, they really are the best in Europe. When I talk for PSV I would say he is not ready and should continue here for another year. But I am realistic and if I worked at a big European club, I'd buy him without question."

Reports in the summer of 2014 suggested Van Gaal, who went on to sign Angel Di Maria for a British record fee and Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco, told Depay to wait a season before moving to United in 2015.

The 21-year-old is highly thought of throughout Europe and ex-United coach Rene Meulensteen says his pace and strength make him the closest thing to Cristiano Ronaldo in the global game.

"With the caveat that I have never worked with Memphis, I dare to think based on the competition that the 18-year-old Cristiano could do more than Memphis can now," the Dutchman said. "They have very similar characteristics: explosiveness, strength, speed. The only problem was that he had too many frills in his game. We had to help him unlearn that.

"Cristiano was also better than Memphis now in being two-footed. Memphis needs to develop his right foot. That was not the case with Cristiano."