Manchester United target Memphis Depay could leave PSV this summer says director Toon Gerbrands

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal could be clear to reunite with another of his former Dutch international protégés this summer, with PSV director Toon Gerbrands having conceded that long-term Old Trafford target Memphis Depay has the option to depart the club at the end of the season.

Depay, 21, impressed under Van Gaal at the 2014 World Cup, scoring against both Australia and Chile, as the Netherlands defied rather modest pre-tournament expectations to finish third ahead of hosts Brazil.

His exciting international form, coupled with a deservedly lofty reputation in the Eredivisie, led to a wealth of transfer speculation concerning Depay both in the immediate aftermath of the World Cup and during the recent January transfer window, with both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur said to maintain a keen interest in acquiring his services.

The latter in particular appeared eager to win the race for the player's services before the February deadline but PSV made the decision to resist a quick sale in order not to damage their chances of winning the 2014-15 title ahead of rivals Ajax.

"They [Tottenham] were willing to offer €20m. We decided to keep hold of him," Gerbrands was quoted as saying by the Daily Express. "But he has the option to leave after this season."

While it has not yet been made explicitly clear if Depay, who has been valued by some at around the £22m ($34m) mark, plans to exercise that option, one presumes his time at the Philips Stadion is limited and Van Gaal will be suitably encouraged that the versatile winger's future appears to rest firmly in his own hands.

Transfers may depend on Champions League football for United

It has been a slightly odd start to Van Gaal's reign at Manchester United and their summer priorities, particularly in terms of transfers, will likely depend on their ability to secure a return to the Champions League next season following a one-year absence.

Despite receiving regular criticism for their rather uninspiring style and lack of attacking excitement, the club sit fourth in the Premier League following the comfortable 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Sunderland on 28 February, leaving them two points ahead of Liverpool and just five adrift of second-place Manchester City.

Van Gaal, who has an obvious need for a commanding centre-back, may also be understandably cautious of making too many more high-profile attacking signings with both Angel Di Maria and loanee Radamel Falcao hardly having set Old Trafford alight since joining from Real Madrid and AS Monaco respectively.

Di Maria, who became the most expensive signing in British football history when Manchester United struck a £59.7m deal with Real Madrid in August 2014, initially showed no signs of a struggle in adapting to English football during the initial stages of the season but has seen his level of performance dip rather alarmingly over recent months.

Falcao, meanwhile, has seen his chances of a permanent switch to the Premier League diminish after a sustained spell of indifferent form. However, the Colombian is likely to be afforded a real chance to prove himself worthy over the coming weeks, with Robin van Persie ruled out of action for the foreseeable future with an ankle problem.

Van Gaal deployed captain Wayne Rooney, who has been operating in midfield for much of the season to date, in a familiar striker's role for the Sunderland clash and the decision paid dividends as he notched twice over the 10-man Black Cats.