Manchester United winger Memphis Depay drops hint that Louis van Gaal will sign Romelu Lukaku

Manchester United winger Memphis Depay appears to have dropped a hint that Everton's Romelu Lukaku could be the secret striker the club are looking to bring to Old Trafford.

On 26 July United completed their fifth signing of the summer in the form of Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero, but Louis van Gaal has indicated he still wants to add more firepower to his forward options following the departures of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman admitted his preferred target could surprise a few people, telling a press conference last week: "He [the surprise] is in the process. It is not the striker the media has written about. You have to wait and see."

While United have already been linked with a host of names including Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and Edinson Cavani, Van Gaal's words sparked further speculation as to who his target may be.

Depay, who joined the Premier League giants from PSV Eindhoven this summer, has intensified that after sending a message to Lukaku on Instagram, writing, "see you soon" alongside a picture of the two.

Depay's message could be seen as a little premature with United not meeting Everton in the Premier League until 17 October, and there are no international meetings between Netherlands and Belgium scheduled for the rest of the year.

Van Gaal's current options up front consist of captain Wayne Rooney and 19-year-old James Wilson with doubts over what role, if any, Javier Hernandez will have at the club after spending last season out on loan.

The Dutch boss has hinted he could look to Depay and Adnan Januzaj to play as centre forwards in the new season if another striker does not arrive.

"You have seen Januzaj and, in two weeks Chicharito, or maybe I buy another striker. I have to evaluate always that process," he told the Daily Mail.

When asked what he would do if a new striker did not come, he added: "It is dependable on Januzaj or Chicharito or Wilson, and Depay can also play in a striker position and that is also a process."