Olympique Lyon forward Memphis Depay has been praised by ex-Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires, who believes the striker should push for a move to the Premier League.

The Dutch international has been heavily linked with a move to England’s top division with Liverpool leading the race for his signature.

Currently playing for Ligue 1 side Lyon the attacker has flourished in the French league since arriving from Manchester United in the 2016/17 winter transfer window. This season he has 12 goals and 15 assists in his 46 appearances in all competitions.

In the summer of 2015, the 25-year-old made the move from Dutch side PSV to Manchester United where Depay would fail to reach the standards that fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal expected when he brought him to Old Trafford after only scoring seven times in 53 games.

Depay made a swift exit to Lyon and since then has shown the footballing world what he is really capable of.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Sport

And ex-Arsenal player Pires has recognised the player’s talent and has urged Memphis to give the Premier League a second chance.

Speaking to Bwin, as cited on the Mirror, the Frenchman had his say on Memphis’ future.

Depay wants to come back to the Premier League and he feels he has unfinished business in England.

He perhaps feels he wasn’t given a chance to perform and earn the right to stay longer considering he was so young and showed glimpses of undoubted potential.

Depay might want to return to Manchester United or he might be motivated to prove them wrong by performing for one of their rivals in the Premier League.

The move is reported to be priced at around £45 million, £20 million more than what United paid for him in 2015.

As Pires pointed out, Depay was young and inexperienced but was able to show flashes of his skill. Playing for Liverpool may certainly push him in the right direction, and the signing could also keep the Reds’ current trio on their feet as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to build squad depth.


Why a move to Liverpool makes sense for Depay

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