Memphis Depay
Manchester United are reportedly the front-runners in signing Memphis Depay. Getty

Manchester United have been handed a massive boost in their ongoing pursuit of Memphis Depay after manager Phillip Cocu revealed the winger will leave PSV Eindhoven in the summer.

The 21-year-old is enjoying a great run in the Eredivisie and is currently the league's top scorer with 17 goals. His style of play has seen him being compared to Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben.

Since the appointment of Louis van Gaal as United manager, Depay has been constantly linked with a move to Old Trafford. The 20-time English champions failed to secure his services last summer and are now the front- runners to land him after the end of this campaign.

Cocu believes the Dutch international is ready for the next step in his career, which could force him to PSV later this year.

"His return is great and if it fails again, he still has his threat. That was what happened in Turkey. I think he's ready for the next step, and I think that he will leave. We take it into account in any case," Cocu is quoted as saying by Voetbal International.

It is not the first time the Dutch club's manager has admitted that Depay will leave his current employers in the summer. Cocu earlier said it was inevitable that the player would leave PSV after the end of the season.

"That is unfortunate [Depay leaving], but on the one hand, we must as a club be proud because we have trained him. At some point, it becomes clear that he is ready for the next step. And yes, I think he is going to leave PSV after this season," the PSV manager explained.

PSV also have the services of Mexican international Andres Guardado. The winger joined the Eredivisie outfit on loan from Valencia before the start of this campaign. The Dutch club confirmed they have signed the winger on a permanent transfer, who is likely to fill in for Depay next season.

Apart from United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have also maintained their interest in the PSV star. However, it is believed the Old Trafford club are leading the race in securing his services.