Ronald Koeman on Memphis Depay rumours: 'I would like to have him'

Everton manager Ronald Koeman has confirmed speculation that he is eager to bring compatriot Memphis Depay to Everton.

The former PSV Eindhoven winger has failed to repeat his impressive Eredivisie form in the Premier League since being brought to Manchester United by former Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal in a £25m ($31.4m) deal last summer.

After providing a meagre return of seven goals in 48 appearances during his first season at Old Trafford, Depay has featured in six competitive matches across all competitions so far this term.

His only start to date under Jose Mourinho came in September's EFL Cup third-round defeat of Northampton Town. His exclusion from the 21-man squad that recently travelled to Istanbul for a 2-1 Europa League defeat to Fenerbahce was a damning indictment of just how far his reputation has fallen.

With Depay having played just 20 minutes of Premier League football in 2016/17, speculation has begun to grow that the 22-year-old could seek pastures new when the transfer window re-opens for business in January.

Indeed, the Liverpool Echo reported last week that both Everton and Serie A title contenders AS Roma were interested in a potential loan deal.

They further stated that United were willing to listen to offers and that Koeman, who has previously admitted that he tried to sign the player for Southampton a year before his eventual exit from PSV, was set to attend the Netherlands' friendly against Belgium in Amsterdam last Wednesday (9 November) in the hope of catching a glimpse of his transfer target in action.

Depay eventually replaced Jeremain Lens for the final 23 minutes of a 1-1 draw.

Addressing his interest in Depay during an interview with Fox Sports programme De Tafel van Kees, Koeman said: "I would like to have him. I think he is an interesting player. He has great individual qualities. He just needs to play games."

Plenty of others have also had their say on Depay, with Fenerbahce boss Dick Advocaat stressing the need for him to find another solution in order to secure more regular first-team action.

Ex-United striker Jordi Cruyff, meanwhile, believes widespread changes at the club mean that the much-needed second season boost simply has not happened for his fellow Dutchman.

"He's young and the first year is always an adaptation year," Cruyff recently told Gulf News. "In the second year, you can feel more lose, but with the managerial change and many new players, that second year he might have needed hasn't come.

"United are also a club that cannot be four or five years without really competing to win things. There may be more changes, but I hope he will not be one of those victims and in the wrong club at the wrong time. For sure, United are an amazing club, but I also think Depay is a good player."