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Memphis Depay reveals he was 'close' to PSG deal but Louis van Gaal swayed him to join Manchester United

Netherlands international will move to Old Trafford this summer in a £25m deal

Simon Rice
Monday 11 May 2015 07:58 BST
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Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay

Memphis Depay has revealed that he was on the verge of agreeing to join Paris St Germain, only for a call from Louis van Gaal to change his mind.

It was announced last week that the Netherlands international had agreed to move to Manchester United in a £25m deal, however the 21-year-old came close to joining the French champions instead.

Van Gaal admitted that United had been "forced" into action over Depay due to the interest being shown by PSG and Depay has confirmed that it took the Manchester United manager's influence to sway him towards Old Trafford.

"I was really close to a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain," Depay told Sky Sports.

"But in the last moment, I know Man U was always interested, but not concrete, and in the last moment they called my manager and, of course, I spoke with the trainer Louis van Gaal.

"So yeah, it was a difficult situation, let me say that, but after I spoke with the trainer, Louis van Gaal, I say to myself I want to go to Manchester.

"I'm really proud and I believe that I can be a big player in Manchester."

Depay made his final home appearance for PSV over the weekend and signed off in style with a long-range free-kick.

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