Manchester United have reportedly made an official approach to try to re-sign Memphis Depay from Barcelona.
The Netherlands international has been forced to take a peripheral role at Camp Nou since the summer arrivals of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha to boost Xavi's attacking options.
Depay signed a two-year deal at Camp Nou after leaving Lyon on a free transfer in 2021, but he could now depart La Blaugrana for nothing at the end of the season.
Depay will be able to enter negotiations with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement if no new deal is penned in January, and he is not expected to be short of offers.
According to journalist Adrian Sanchez - via the Manchester Evening News - the Red Devils have now tabled their first offer as they seek to re-sign the Netherlands international.
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Depay emerged as one of Europe's top attacking starlets during his time at PSV Eindhoven, earning a €34m (£29.8m) switch to Old Trafford in the summer of 2015.
The 28-year-old recorded seven goals and six assists in 53 outings for Man United in all competitions but failed to make a name for himself in the Premier League.
Following the arrival of Jose Mourinho, Depay made his exit to Lyon in January 2017 and experienced much better fortunes in France with 76 goals and 55 assists in 178 games for Les Gones.
Despite his initial struggles at Old Trafford, Sanchez claims that Man United are now interested in bringing Depay back to Manchester, and the attacker is keen to end his ill-fated Barcelona stint.
The Red Devils would be able to sign Depay on a free transfer next year, but the report adds that Barcelona could instead try to recoup a small fee for the Netherlands international in January.
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Man United are expected to be in the market for a new attacker to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, who could have supposedly played his final game for Erik ten Hag's side.
Depay has 14 goals and two assists from 41 matches in a Barcelona shirt, but he has made a paltry three appearances for the La Liga giants in the 2022-23 season so far.
The attacker scored his first goal of the season against Elche on September 17, but he has since been absent with a thigh problem sustained in September's international break.
Depay has missed Barca's last 12 matches in all competitions, and there was speculation that the Dutchman was deliberately delaying his recovery in order to be in peak physical condition for the World Cup.
The ex-Lyon and Man United man emphatically denied those rumours, but Oranje boss Louis Van Gaal has already revealed that Depay will not be considered for selection from the start against Senegal in their World Cup opener.
The Netherlands will also face Qatar and Ecuador in Group A and will kick off their bid for glory against Senegal at the Al Thumama Stadium on November 21.
Ben Knapton
