With Memphis Depay set to wrap up his big money move to Manchester United in the next few weeks, PSV now have to turn their attention to finding a replacement, but who are the candidates?
- By Michael Bell
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Depay has been the undoubted star of the Eredivisie this season, and PSV will find it almost impossible to find another winger, who will not only contribute over 20 goals next season, but also have the pace, power, skills, and influence that the 21-year-old brought to Phillip Cocu’s side.
PSV will bank around €30 million from the sale of Depay, and with the additional attraction of the Champions League, Cocu should be able to lure a number of talented wingers to the Eredivisie. Below are a few of the players already linked with a move to PSV.
Sam Larsson
Pace, skill and an eye for goal, Larsson has proved he has all the attributes of a quality winger since he joined Heerenveen last summer from IFK Goteborg for less than €1 million. In 20 appearances so far this season, Larsson has scored eight times and added five assists for the Frisian side, and his excellent performances have caught the attention of PSV.
Heerenveen coach Dwight Lodeweges told De Telegraaf on Saturday that a move to PSV would be, “A piece of cake for Larsson”, but the Swede will not come cheap with a reported price tag of €8 million on his head.
Jean Paul Boetius
Its been a very frustrating season for Jean Paul Boetius, who has found himself mainly coming into games from the bench with coach Fred Rutten preferring Elvis Manu on the left wing. When he does enter the pitch the 21-year-old has looked a shadow of the player that shone hugely under Ronald Koeman last season, scoring ten goals and adding nine assists, which saw earn his first Netherlands cap and nearly make the World Cup squad.
Afraid to take players on at times, and lacking his usual potency around the box, Boetius looks a player lacking any confidence, and it seems likely that he will be departing De Kuip this summer after failing to agree a new contract. Coming into the final year of his deal, Feyenoord will be forced to sell the winger, and PSV director Marcel Brands has confirmed his interest.
Boetius is undoubtedly a huge talent, and if Cocu could develop him the way he did with Depay, then PSV would be making an excellent signing.
Ricardo Kishna
Kishna is one of Netherlands most talented wingers, and it seems strange that Ajax could sell him to rivals PSV, but the Amsterdam club have failed to tie the 20-year-old to a new contract, and like Boetius at Feyenoord, he would be free to leave after next season.
Agent Mino Raiola has spoken of Kishna’s troubled relationship with Frank de Boer, and the winger was even suspended for a league game earlier this season, after an argument with the coach. Despite his troubles, Kishna has impressed on the pitch with his silky dribbling skills and direct play, scoring six goals, whilst adding ten assists.
Brands has not ruled out the possibility of Kishna moving to PSV, but the Eindhoven club would have competition from a bunch of other clubs, with Raiola keen to talk up his clients talents in Italy.
Jesus Corona
Its been a terrible campaign for cash-strapped FC Twente, but one of their shining lights has been Corona, who joined from Mexican side Monterrey last summer, and has been a revelation with his skills and pace on the wings. The 22-year-old’s nine goals and five assists for Twente earned the winger his first two caps for the Mexican national team, and attracted interest from Premier League side Southampton.
Twente’s money issues means the club will be forced to sell key players this summer, and as the Enschede clubs prized asset, Corona could be one of the first players to leave with PSV heavily linked. Corona would be an excellent replacement for Depay, but would command a fee of around €10 million.
Adnan Januzaj
Once the golden boy of Manchester, Januzaj has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford this season, and could be available for a loan deal this summer. Brands has already confirmed that PSV would like to sign the 20-year-old for next season, and having sold Depay to Manchester United, the director could use his positive relationship with Louis van Gaal to make the deal happen.
The Belgian would be able to develop his attacking attributes in the Eredivisie if he was to join PSV, while also gain Champions League football, but Manchester United may like to loan the winger to a stronger league, with Everton also linked.
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