text: Dutch football made a killing in the stock market this week. Yet its rise was not because PSV Eindhoven won their first Eredivisie title since 2008, ending Ajax's four-year reign. It was down to Memphis Depay, who scored his 20th goal of the season to confirm their 22nd championship in Holland. It turned heads at Manchester United. Yet Jim Lawlor, their chief scout, had been doing his homework long before Depay reached the total which Louis van Gaal holds in such high regard. PSV Eindhoven's Memphis Depay celebrates with the trophy after securing the Eredivisie championship . Depay (left) and PSV team-mate Georginio Wijnaldum (right) celebrate with the Eredivisie trophy . PSV manager Phillip Cocu (left) and top goalscorer Depay (right) clinched the title with three games to spare . 20 – Memphis Depay (winger) 19 – Luuk de Jong (striker) 16 – Michiel Kramer (striker) 14 – Michael de Leeuw (striker) 14 – Mark Uth (striker) The manager announced in February he lacked a striker who could score 20 goals. If a 21-year-old can do it from the wing in 27 appearances, albeit in Holland rather than England, is that not worth a £25million investment? Manchester United think so, and they are not alone. From 'official talks' with Liverpool, to 'discussions' with Paris Saint-Germain, to a not-so-secret meeting in Manchester. Depay has been busy, and no wonder. He is the Eredivisie's top goalscorer, without even being PSV's main forward. His 20 goals have contributed 12 points, which just so happens to be the difference between them and second-placed Ajax. Yet not many people had heard of Depay, particularly before the 2014 World Cup, so why the sudden case of rubbing hands together? How Depay could look for Manchester United should he make his £25m move to Old Trafford this summer . Depay pictured in action during PSV's title-winning victory against Heerenveen last weekend at home . Depay is the Eredivisie's top goalscorer with 20, without even being PSV's main forward in their attack . Depay was understood to have held a meeting in Manchester  as he nears his £25m move with Louis van Gaal . First, his background. He has 'dream chaser' tattooed across his chest, and 'successful' inked on the inside of his lower lip. Joining the iconic Manchester United brand would not contradict either, particularly given his difficult childhood. As a four-year-old, his parents separated. In 2012, after turning 18, he dropped 'Depay' from the back of his shirt as a snub to his absent father. Raised by his mother in the southern Dutch town of Moordrecht, he grew up in 'a small village where there is not much to do', so says Gigi, a childhood friend of Depay's. Yet some of the greatest footballers were created in such places. Take Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez, for example. He grew up in poverty-stricken rural Chile in a mining town called Tocopilla – literal meaning Devil's Corner. With Depay poised to join the Barclays Premier League, talk is of him being paid the same as Sanchez – £130,000 a week. Yet the man handed his Holland debut just 18 months ago by Van Gaal remains relatively unknown. The manager sees something in him. As a player, Depay can be used as a makeshift forward, and has been likened to Cristiano Ronaldo by PSV manager Phillip Cocu and Ajax great Ronald de Boer. He's fast-paced, tricky, and physical. A left winger who cuts inside with a powerful right foot – not unlike his counterpart and compatriot Arjen Robben. His specialty is free-kicks. Five of his 20 goals were from dead-ball situations – his latest against Heerenveen seven days ago, when PSV were crowned champions with three games to spare. His talents aren't new to those in Holland, however. Nobody in Eredivisie completed more dribbles (101) last season, and he created the second-most chances (87), too. Depay has 'dream chaser' tattooed across his chest, and 'successful' inked on the inside of his lower lip . Depay celebrates with his Holland team-mate Arjen Robben during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil . Memphis, a right-footed left-winger, celebrates with his counterpart Robben, a left-footed right-winger . It is exactly what Manchester United need, given they have created fewer chances (332) than Queens Park Rangers (342) and Tottenham Hotspur (352) this season. It led to his potential being recognised by Europe's heavyweights during the summer. Called up, the then-20-year-old's goal against Australia made him the youngest Dutch scorer in the history of the World Cup, taking over from Boudewijn Zenden at France '98. That was Depay's first goal in Brazil, before his second against Chile – the same total England's squad managed as a collective in Group D. When Holland used a 4-3-3 formation, he got the nod to join Robben and Robin van Persie in a three-pronged attack. He had four shots, with 100 per cent accuracy, and scored two of them. Already a disciple of Louis van Gaal's philosophy, it seems. Compare Depay to Manchester United's other forwards – Wayne Rooney, Van Persie, Radamel Falcao and James Wilson – and he blitzes the averages of the rest. He scores a goal every 115.2 minutes (with Van Persie nearest on 119.3). He creates a chance every 41.9 minutes (with Rooney nearest on 62.5). He makes a run every 14.9 minutes (with Rooney, again, nearest on 37.1). And so on. How Depay could look for Manchester United (left) and the winger playing last week for PSV (right) Old Trafford forwards Wayne Rooney (from left to right), Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and James Wilson . And yet, he is not the complete package. Not quite. He has been labelled greedy by some, averaging a shot every 19.9 minutes, having had 277 in 79 appearances in Eredivisie in the last three seasons. Even Gareth Bale, the supposed ball-hog at Real Madrid, averages fewer (24.3 minutes per shot). As is understandable with young players, his decision-making leaves a lot to be desired, too. He needs teaching, perhaps by his former national manager in Manchester. Depay wouldn't be the first to leave PSV for the Premier League, or even Old Trafford for that matter, after all. Thursday marked 14 years since Sir Alex Ferguson signed Ruud van Nistelrooy from PSV for a then-British transfer record of £19m. The striker went on to make 150 appearances, scoring 95 goals, averaging one every 128.2 minutes. A success. Depay wouldn't be the first to leave PSV for the Premier League, or Manchester United for that matter . Ruud van Nistelrooy (left) joined Manchester United from PSV, while Mateja Kezman (right) joined Chelsea . Three years after one PSV great arrived, another followed. Yet Mateja Kezman had little impact in the Premier League with Chelsea. He made just 25 appearances, scoring four goals with no assists, averaging one every 184.5 minutes. A dud. Depay could do worse than join the project at Manchester United. The Premier League can be as unforgiving as it is rewarding when it comes to potential-laden youngsters. They more often than not get found out, as £20m Brazilian Anderson was. Yet Depay can strive for great things, if his statistics are anything to go by, and putting it on the pitch at Old Trafford could be the next challenge for the 'dream chaser'. Depay could soon be joining the Premier League as he looks set to sign for Manchester United for £25m .
target: Memphis Depay held a secret meeting Manchester United recently .
  The Holland winger scored last week as PSV clinched the Eredivisie title .
  Depay is Eredivisie's top goalscorer with 20 - even though he is a winger .
  Louis van Gaal previously admitted he lacks a 20-goals-per-season striker .
  The 21-year-old is a left winger who cuts inside with a powerful right foot .
  Nobody in Eredivisie completed more dribbles (101) last season than him .
  In 2014, Depay became the youngest-ever Dutch scorer at a World Cup .
  Van Gaal put him alongside Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben in 4-3-3 .