Most Liverpool fans are pretty gutted by the news confirmed by Manchester United’s official Twitter account that they’ve all but wrapped up the signing of Memphis Depay from PSV, subject to a medical.
While disappointing, the news surely means that we’re going to focus our attentions elsewhere, with adding goals and creativity to the squad this summer a priority after a relatively poor campaign.
Here are six left-wing forwards (where Depay plays) that have been linked, and some analysis on each…
Which of these is most likely, and which would you prefer, Reds?
Paul Georges-Ntep – Rennes
Source: L’Equipe
This one seems the most likely to us, and we thought we’d start off with the 22-year-old youngster who’s already travelled to Melwood on two occasions to thrash out a summer move. The French youth international has been excellent in Ligue 1 this term, bagging nine and assisting five from the flank. He’s hardly the marquee signing fans are after, especially considering the Depay news, but he’s rapid, can dribble, and scores goals. With the news breaking today that his signing is a strong possibility, we should get used to his arrival, rather than dread it. Plenty of classy players have emerged in the French league…
Yannick Bolasie – Crystal Palace
Source: The Telegraph
The problem with the Bolasie rumour is less the player’s ability, but more his likely inflated Premier League price-tag. According to the mooted Telegraph report, Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew would want £20m for the Congolese international. Considering he’s scored four goals in the past two top flight seasons, three of which were a recent hat-trick, proves he provides nowhere near the required end product.
Theo Walcott – Arsenal
Source: Daily Star
The Gunners and England winger has yet to sign an extension on his deal which runs out at the end of next season, meaning rumours surrounding his future have been circulating regularly. His manager Arsene Wenger is ‘confident’ that the flyer will stay (via BBC Sport), but as of yet, no contract has been agreed. Walcott’s attributes are well known: he has blistering pace, can finish, but is technically weak, and his decision making is often lacking, too. Walcott is usually used on the right, but would be capable of playing wide-left too, which would likely aid his ability to score goals, enabling him to cut in and shoot on his favoured right.
Denis Cheryshev -Real Madrid (on loan at Villarreal)
Source: Daily Mail
The Russian is a mooted £15m target, having enjoyed a relatively productive La Liga season on loan with the Yellow Submarine. During 2014/15, Cherysev has notched four goals and registered nine assists, adding another two strikes in the Europa League. Modest stats, to say the least. He seems like a mid-table La Liga player for us, which would only make him a mid-table Premier League player as well. No thanks.
Pedro – Barcelona
Source: The Express
A World Cup, European Championship, Champions League and La Liga winner, Pedro’s pedigree is sensational. He’s only 27-years-old, meaning that despite the mentioned £24m fee, we’d still have some of his best years ahead of him. Pedro has struggled for game time this season, but behind a forward-line of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Luis Suarez, that’s no disgrace whatsoever. Pedro scores goals from the left wing, as proven by his respective tallies of 23 and 22 in 2009/10 and 2010/11. He’s not reached those levels since, but we’d love to see him give it a go an Anfield.
Marco Reus – Borussia Dortmund
Source: Independent
Is this ambitious, or just plain unrealistic? We’re not sure – but if we don’t go in for the best available players on the market, we’re never going to be able to sign them. The German international is as close to world-class as it gets on this list, and we’d be lucky if we had a free run at him. At least we know that Manchester United are unlikely to be interested now though since the Depay news. Reus has bundles of skill, and can create and score in equal measure.
