Why Memphis Depay Would Be a Bad Signing for Paris Saint-Germain

Memphis Delay may have turned 21 at the start of the year, but the Dutch international's performances for PSV Eindhoven have made him one of Europe's hottest prospects.

According to Ian Holyman of ESPN FC,  Paris Saint-Germain are linked with a move this summer, but in the current landscape and despite his talent, Depay would be a bad signing for PSG.

It has nothing to do with his abilities, but it comes down to the current situation the French champions find themselves in and the business they need to do.

Young Depay is an exceptional talent, one who would vastly improve most squads across Europe. However, PSG are already fairly stacked in their current attacking options.

It seems likely the winger will leave his current club this summer. Even his coach, Phillip Cocu, admitted Depay was destined for bigger and better things. The former Netherlands international told Sport Express (h/t the Mirror):

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That's unfortunate, but on the other 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's going to leave PSV after this season.

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This season, according to WhoScored.com, Depay scored three times as his club were eliminated from the Europa League, and he has recorded 17 goals in the Eredivisie, where PSV stand eight points clear at the top of the league.

As the Dutch side look set to lift the league crown this season, PSG are in a four-way battle for the Ligue 1 championship. That makes it likely Laurent Blanc will dip heavily into the transfer market this summer.

One of the first moves may be to sell Argentine winger Ezequiel Lavezzi, which would open a space for another forward. However, it would mean Blanc still has Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Lucas Moura at the club. That trio would be the fulcrum of PSG's starting XI next season, leaving the Dutchman with no guaranteed minutes.

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Blanc has hinted in the past that he would like a new left-sided player in his attack next season, but to improve, PSG need to recruit someone who is better than the players they already have. That type of player is rarely available for cheap, so the former France boss would be better off making the most out of what he already has and promoting from within.

In the same interview with Sport Express, Cocu spoke about Depay's qualities and the similarities to Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben:

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Whether he can be as good as Arjen Robben? I think so. They are different players, but they are both fast and have a good shot. And both always have the urge to learn.

But Memphis is only 21-years-old and only in a few years can real conclusions be drawn.

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Lucas is another player who fits that profile, and after the €42 million PSG spent on the Brazilian winger, he has made excellent progress this season. Injuries have hampered the second half of this season, but he should return soon to further impress in Paris before this campaign ends.

Just like the £50 million spent to lure David Luiz from Chelsea to PSG, there is no denying the quality of the player, but spending the rumoured £22 million on someone who is not a definite upgrade is something they may want to avoid, especially considering they made a huge investment in Lucas.

The club couldn't afford to stunt the progress of Lucas and Depay if they were both in the same squad. The money could possibly be used more wisely in other areas of the team.

Depay is a fantastic young player who could go on to make a wonderful impact at any big club; however, with the players PSG already possess, any move for the Dutchman this summer would be wrong for the club and harmful to the player's future.