PSV secured the Dutch league title in roaring fashion on Saturday, clinching the top spot by beating Heerenveen 4-1 to go a stunning 13 points above Ajax with three matches remaining. Unfortunately, it may cost the club as the vultures begin to circle.
One of the club’s highest-rated players Memphis Depay is highly sought after, and according to PSV technical director Marcel Brands, the Dutch winger has an impressive list of suitors.
“There is serious interest from big clubs,” Brands said to Dutch TV’s Fox Sports following the title clinching win. “We’ve had a phone call [from Manchester United] but there were no talks yet. If it comes to a deal, he must make the choice.”
Brands also said that PSG attempted to sign the 21-year-old during the winter, but the player refused specifically to win a title with his Dutch club, which they accomplished with room to spare. He apparently also refused to join Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
Memphis Depay on PSV's title win: 'I have no words. I stayed at PSV especially to become champions. And now we are. It's what I dreamed of'
— Elko Born (@Elko_B) April 18, 2015
Depay has 20 goals in 27 league games this season, including five in his last six games, and also including a stretch in the middle of the season where he bagged eight goals in seven games across the turn of the new year. Not all attackers make the transition from the Dutch league to the Premier League well, as we saw with players like Jozy Altidore, but it’s not impossible. Daley Blind has had a fabulous first season with Manchester United after moving from Ajax, and Wilfried Bony went on to a prolific career at Swansea after leading the Eredivisie in scoring. PSV has been known to cultivate talent before selling, and they Kevin Strootman and Dries Mertens to top Serie A clubs in the summer of 2013 before remaining quiet in the transfer market the last two windows.