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Manchester United have made a number of fantastic transfers over the years but they’ve also let a number of impressive players go who have gone on to reach new heights. 

Indeed, one player who’s gone up a couple of levels since leaving Old Trafford is Memphis Depay.

The winger was given the No.7 shirt at United which automatically piled plenty of pressure on him as following in Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps was always going to be an impossible task.

Manchester United fans were no doubt extremely frustrated with the way the winger operated during his time at the club as he had so much potential, but he just couldn’t find a way to unlock it.

Supporters will remember the winger for all the wrong reasons.

Sadly, the one main problem with Depay was his attitude as he never really managed to buckle down and focus on living up to his full potential. Of course, this was evident on the field as he produced just seven goals and six assists in 53 appearances, which was far from good enough as the Red Devils paid £30.6 million to sign him.

However, he looks to have lived up to his full potential at Lyon as he’s established himself as one of the best wingers in Europe this season, producing eight goals and 14 assists up until this point. And, the most shocking thing is that he’s now apparently worth €80 million (£69.3 million), according to CIES Football Observatory.

Ed Woodward surely must be full of regret after selling the winger for just £14.4 million (as per Transfermarkt), with the Lyon man now seemingly a £69.4 million gold mine.

Of course, after letting Gerard Pique leave Depay will go down as another mistake.

Manchester United fans, surely you must still wish you had Memphis Depay at your disposal? Join the discussion by commenting down below! 

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Former midfielder Jamie O’Hara has told Tottenham Hotspur to avoid signing Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha this summer, per Love Sport Radio.

The club are seemingly set to reinvest in the squad this summer after two transfer windows without securing a signing.

What’s he said?

Spurs have long been linked with a move for Zaha, with reports in 2018 claiming he was a major target of Mauricio Pochettino.

They actually tabled a bid for the Palace star in 2016 but O’Hara has insisted that the club need to focus their attention elsewhere when the transfer window reopens.

Indeed, he does not even believe that Zaha, who has scored eight goals and laid on eight assists in the Premier League this season – is good enough to get in Spurs’ team regularly and instead thinks the midfield needs reshaping.

He said: “Zaha is a fantastic player and a great prospect but I think Tottenham need to be looking at someone now who is going to change that team and add to that team.

“Does Zaha start in front of Moura or Eriksen or Son? I don’t think so. I think they need to really strengthen in midfield. I’d like to see them sign a world-class midfielder. That’s the first thing Tottenham need to do.

“They need a couple but I’d like to see them go for someone special just to say ‘we’ve arrived now, we’ve got our stadium, this is what we’re thinking and this is where we’re going’.

“They don’t need to sign bit-part players.”

Right wing depth

Zaha would offer depth on the right-hand side of Spurs’ midfield, but O’Hara is right to claim that he would not be an immediate starter.

Instead, he would have to be bedded in by manager Pochettino, who is definitely better off taking O’Hara’s advice.

Mouse Dembele has left the club, while fitness doubts continue to plague Eric Dier.

Bringing in a “world-class midfielder” would be a statement of intent far bigger than acquiring Zaha’s signature, and that’s what Daniel Levy and Pochettino’s priority should be in the coming transfer window.

In the modern era of football, it’s as hard as it has ever been for youth players to be given a chance.

Unless you’re as talented as Lionel Messi, have potential as great as Kylian Mbappe, or a momentous injury crisis occurs, youth players are often cast away to only playing reserve team football and the occasional cup game, and youngsters these days are starting to speak out about it.

Jadon Sancho’s move to Borussia Dortmund last summer kick-started an English invasion of youngsters moving to teams on the continent for first-team football, and now Liverpool youngster Rafael Camacho could be the next to leave the prestige of a club as big as the Reds for game time elsewhere.

He’s produced an impressive 12 goals and eight assists in all competitions this season.

The Portuguese winger has only made one first-team start all season in Liverpool’s FA Cup loss to Wolves where he started out of position at right-back, and his recent hat-trick against Leicester City in the Premier League 2 has resulted in Camacho speaking out about his lack of first-team chances.

Taking to Instagram, the 18-year-old winger said: “I do not know whose idea it is, but I will prove that they are mistaken about my football. I’m not a right defender, I’m an attacker who scores goals. This is my DNA.”

With Liverpool on the brink of a potential title win, it is unlikely Camacho will be given any more first-team opportunities this season and according to reports in Portugal the winger is being targeted by Wolves as a summer signing, and if the youngster is to leave, Jurgen Klopp should take responsibility for the club losing one of their biggest prospects.

It’s understandable why Camacho hasn’t been given the minutes he was expecting this season with arguably the best right-winger in world football occupying his preferred position in the first-team, but ignoring youth is something big teams can’t be doing on an annual basis.

Aside from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool’s youth record has been abysmal, just like most teams in the top six, and Klopp is going to learn the hard way that if you neglect talented youth, others will benefit and profit from it.

Liverpool fans, should Camacho leave this summer? Let us know!

Inconsistency has been West Ham United’s problem this season.

Indeed, it’s not like the Hammers don’t have a formidable squad. However, certain personnel aren’t performing to the standards and dragging the whole team down with them.

Be it problems in the back-four or a crisis in the attack, there are many aspects Manuel Pellegrini has to address next season. However, right now, he needs to look upon improving his strikeforce. Indeed, the Chilean is lacking some quality goal-scorers, with the wingers and midfielders being forced to deliver.

It’s not like they lack resources. The Hammers are packed in proven strikers, but nobody is performing as they once did. Marko Arnautovic seemingly isn’t even interested anymore, while Javier Hernandez is no longer the deadly poacher he once was. Andy Carroll’s a joke, while Lucas Perez is too erratic to lead their line.

The Chilean gaffer needs to remove the waste and replace them with clinical striker’s. Edin Dzeko’s in their radar, as he’s the top-class striker to compliment Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini perfectly. However, West Ham need multiple quality goal-scorers to untap the hidden potential of their promising attack.

Along with Dzeko, Maxi Gomez is also one being looked at. The Argentine’s a predator in the box and available relatively cheap. There are tough decisions to be made after this season.

But if Manuel Pellegrini wants to make the Hammers compete for a European spot, they’ll need top-class strikers with the ability to score decisive goals and win matches on their own. If they don’t get them – whoever they may be – the Hammers are in for a bad time of it.

West Ham fans, do you think multiple attacking signings are required in the summer? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Over the years, what has separated Liverpool from the other big-spenders in the Premier League is their net spent.

Granted, they signed Virgil van Dijk for £75 million and shelled out £67 million for Alisson but that was possible because they received close to £142 million for Philippe Coutinho.

Indeed, Michael Edwards’ shrewd business skills have been highlighted recently and his reputation’s sure to grow over the summer. While Liverpool must be planning on making some big signings, their Sporting Director is planning on how to balance out the profits.

His latest plan seems to be using interest Marko Grujic to extort a big transfer fee.

The Serbian midfielder’s enjoyed a commendable loan campaign with Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin, putting in dominant performances from the middle, helping them win games. As a result, he’s reportedly attracted attention from all around and Atletico Madrid are especially interested in his services for next season.

For Liverpool, Grujic is just surplus to requirement. He’s no longer needed, despite his loan heroics and doesn’t fit into Jurgen Klopp’s style at all. As a result, Edwards is clearly aiming to make some profit. The 23-year-old was signed for only £6.3 million in 2016, but according to reports (via ESPN) late last month, Liverpool are demanding £34.7 million from Atletico for his services.

Wow. That’s a lot of money.

While this may seem crazy to some, he might actually get his way. Diego Simeone’s side are seemingly desperate for strong midfielders with some of their own possibly moving out next season. The Reds could end up making five times the profit for Grujic and leave Edwards a delighted man afterwards.

Liverpool fans, would you be happy to inherit a big fee for Grujic? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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Portuguese outlet A Bola have reported that Islam Slimani could leave Leicester to rejoin Sporting Lisbon in the summer.

The report claims that the Liga NOS outfit have been in contact with the Foxes over a possible loan move, involving an option to buy at the end of it.

Slimani has endured a torrid spell with Leicester, scoring just 13 times after a club-record switch in 2016.

The Algerian international has spent the current 2018/19 term with Fenerbahce but again has struggled for goals, scoring just once in the league.

There is a huge doubt that the Foxes will return much of the £29m they spent on the player three years ago but given his performances it’s unlikely the club will care too much.

With another possible switch away in the offering, Football FanCast writers have given their verdicts on whether the 6 ft 2 forward deserves another chance at the King Power. Check out what they said below.

Jack Saville:

“Slimani has been one the biggest transfer blunders in Leicester’s history and there is absolutely no chance he should stay at the club. His style is antithetical to Brendan Rodgers’ philosophy and it would take a minor miracle for him to play his way back into the first-team at this stage. This one is a no brainer: he is finished at the King Power.”

Luke Glanville:

“Leicester City have made some atrocious signings in the last couple of years and Islam Slimani is very much one of those. The Algerian has been given plenty of opportunities at the King Power Stadium and not nearly been consistent enough, also failing to impress out on loan. The Foxes need to move forward under Brendan Rodgers and to do that, deadwood like Slimani has to be sold. Leicester should not give the 30-year-old a second chance.”

Harry Sherlock:

“Islam Slimani isn’t good enough for Leicester. He’s 30 and there’s absolutely no chance of him improving at this stage. The Foxes aren’t the richest club in England but they have a fair transfer budget and there has to be better out there this summer. In fact, it should be a priority; Leicester need to replace him, not debate giving him another chance.”

It has been an awful month to be a Leeds United supporter, hasn’t it?

After moving within touching distance of a return to the Premier League following a 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on April 13th, the Whites capitulated in their final four fixtures of the season which allowed Sheffield United to usurp them in the Championship standings.

Yet despite entering their play-off semi-final clash with Derby County in shocking form, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa would have been extremely confident in his side’s ability to overcome a team who they had beaten twice during the regular season.

However, despite winning the first leg 1-0 last Saturday at Pride Park, the Whites fell apart at Elland Road on Wednesday as the Rams were able to secure a famous 4-2 victory to secure a showdown with Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium later this month.

Although it would be easy to blame Bielsa for Leeds’ recent struggles, the fact that he has had to constantly adjust his side due to a plethora of injury issues has clearly had a detrimental impact.

With no fewer than four of his regular starters missing during midweek, it was always going to be an uphill battle to keep Derby at bay and therefore it was somewhat of a miracle just how Leeds managed to hold their own for such long periods of the game.

Having transformed the Whites’ fortunes since joining the club last year, it is clear that despite missing out on promotion this season, Bielsa is still the right man to take them forward over the coming years.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror about his future at Leeds, the 63-year-old admitted: “It’s not as you can imagine convenient to talk about this point right now.

“Anyway, the process and you know about this process, that’s why I’m talking about it, if the club offers me the possibility to carry on I will listen to this proposal.”

Although Bielsa didn’t reveal that he will be definitely staying at Elland Road next season, the fact that he is willing to sit down with chairman Andrea Radrizzani suggests that he is open to this prospect.

Yet with it not being beyond the realms of possibility that the Argentine receives offers from across Europe this summer, it may turn out to be a nervy few months for everyone associated with Leeds.

What do you think Whites fans? How important is it that Radrizzani convinces Bielsa to stay at the club? Are you confident that the former Bilbao coach will still be in charge next season? Let us know below.

With all things considered, West Ham United have had a rather successful campaign and one that the Hammers can certainly build upon.

Although there will be some that feel the club could have finished higher than tenth in the Premier League, it is a far cry from what they have been experiencing in the past few seasons.

And, one man to thank for the vast improvements at the London Stadium is Manuel Pellegrini.

A natural winner, the arrival of the Chilean was lauded as a huge coup for West Ham last summer when he took charge and he certainly made his mark on the east London outfit as the season went on.

Sure, a slow start was worrying and had many concerned in the stands about just what the future held for the Hammers under his guidance, however, the experienced head managed to get things rolling and turned their fortunes around.

This summer is likely going to be another huge one for the Irons and it will need to be if they are to continue their ascent up the Premier League ladder, however, they may have been handed some encouraging news already.

The Daily Mail are claiming that Pellegrini has no intention of leaving West Ham this summer, should Sevilla or Barcelona come knocking at the door for his services, after reports in his homeland (via Daily Mail) suggested otherwise.

The 65-year-old is thought to be happy in the capital and is pleased with how the first season went and wants to use that as his starting point in his efforts to take the club to the next level.

It would always be difficult for a manager to turn down any advances from the likes of Barcelona and Sevilla, but it appears Pellegrini is not quite ready to end his second spell in England just yet and that can only be good news for David Gold and David Sullivan.

West Ham fans, are you pleased Pellegrini has no intentions to quit? Let us know your thoughts below!

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According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to make a move for Leeds United wonderkid Jack Clarke.

The 18-year-old burst onto the scene this season, and he looked like the real deal the instant he stepped onto the pitch at Elland Road.

His undeniable potential has now caught the eye of Premier League teams, and he may well be on the move this summer.

What’s the story?

Football Insider are reporting that a source close to the club has told them that Tottenham want the youngster.

According to the website, the club’s decision to refuse to open contract talks with Clarke during the season has given other teams encouragement that he could be lured away from Elland Road this summer with a bid in the region of £10m.

The article goes on to explain that Spurs were interested in the winger back in January, but United were able to stave off their interest, something which they will hope to do again this summer.

Making a stand

For far too long, Leeds United have allowed their promising youngsters to slip through their fingers.

Fabian Delph, Sam Byram and Lewis Cook have all moved on from Elland Road before they could create a legacy at the club.

If you want to go back even further to the Whites’ initial demise, then you can add James Milner and Aaron Lennon to that list.

If the Yorkshire outfit want to reclaim their place at the top table of English football, it should start with them making a stand against the Premier League vultures who consistently pick at their academy graduates.

Under Marcelo Bielsa, the teenager has the chance to grow in arguably the best environment in the country. He is a part of a squad where he is guaranteed minutes, and he is playing under one of the greatest minds in football.

If Leeds are promoted next season, then they can begin to aim even higher. They may even re-establish themselves as a force in the top flight, and if they can keep hold of Clarke, there is no reason for him to not be at the forefront of that.

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Per an article from The Chronicle, Aston Villa will consider making a move for Isaac Hayden if they get promoted back to the Premier League.

The Villans take on Derby in the play-off final on Bank Holiday Monday and it doesn’t appear as though they’ll hang around long in their pursuit for Premier League talent should they win.

The Chronicle suggests that Newcastle could be willing to accept bids in the region of £15m for Hayden, who previously played for Arsenal.

However, there are two other teams in contention to sign the 24-year-old with West Ham also sniffing around the player. The report further claims that Brighton have been long term admirers.

The 6 ft 1 ace has been a reliable performer in the middle of the park for the Magpies this term, quickly becoming one of Rafa Benitez’s chief enforcers.

The midfielder is particularly composed on the ball but is also consistently good at the defensive side of the game, too.

With a possible move to Villa on the cards, Football FanCast writers have given their verdicts on whether he’d be a good addition to Dean Smith’s side. Here’s what they’ve said.

Harry Sherlock:

“A move to Villa doesn’t do a lot for Hayden, who has reportedly told Newcastle he wants to move nearer to his families down south. But he’s a Premier League quality footballer and he’d be an excellent buy for Villa. It remains to be seen, though, if he’ll be willing to make the move. It might well ride on whether or not Dean Smith’s side win promotion. If they do, he’d be a good start for what needs to be a busy summer.”

Harry Elnaugh:

“Hayden earned praise from Pep Guardiola in January after Newcastle beat the champions – he’s a rock-solid defensive midfielder who loves a tackle and that should endear him to the Villa faithful. There’s no doubt that he’s of top flight quality and he would greatly strengthen Villa’s bid to either stay in or achieve promotion to the Premier League, depending on the result against Derby.”

“Fair play nonsense!” – Watch one fan’s astonishing defence of Leeds’ controversial goal against Villa on Sunday in the video below…

Billy Meyers:

“Isaac Hayden would be an excellent signing for Aston Villa. He is undoubtedly a Premier League quality player and provides the grit in midfield that is needed in order for the attackers to fully express themselves and flourish. Of course, his personal issues might make this move a difficult one, but Villa should definitely do all they can to make it happen.”