Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has revealed that he attempted to sign Memphis Depay last summer as soon as he was appointed by the Saints.
The 21-year-old will join Manchester United from PSV Eindhoven this summer to link up with fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal.
Koeman says that he and assistant boss Erwin Koeman tried to use their contacts to lure the Netherlands international to the South Coast.
"I wanted to get him last year already. With Erwin we tried that, he's with the same management as Memphis, but the boy wanted to stay another year at PSV," Koeman told Voetbal International.
"Now we knew that we did not have to call. When Manchester United come, we have no chance."
Depay completed his medical at Old Trafford on Monday.
