With Ruben van Bommel most likely out for the remainder of the season, PSV have reportedly started looking for a free agent to fill the winger's void
Van Bommel's unfortunate exit from the derby against Ajax due to a severe knee injury leaves a gap in the PSV attack. It's unlikely Peter Bosz will trust Couhaib Driouech with a full-time starting job, while Esmir Bajraktarevic is more suited to playing on the right.
Such a move would move Ivan Perisic back to the left, but it does not seem like a solution that would amuse Bosz between now and May, during which time PSV are playing at least 37 games in the Eredivisie, UEFA Champions League, and KNVB Beker.
So, who are the free agent PSV could turn to in their quest to replace Van Bommel?
Hakim Ziyech
Hakim Ziyech's name passed the rumour mill as soon as Van Bommel's injury was announced. The Moroccan winger, who earned a 40-million-euro move to Chelsea after setting Europe alight with Ajax, was offered to PSV, who reportedly did not feel much for a move for the 32-year-old.
Ziyech has been out of a job since his contract at Qatari side Al Duhail was terminated after four months at the club. The 64-time international hardly impressed in the Gulf country, scoring one goal and assisting one more in just 13 appearances.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The man famous for that Champions League night against Manchester City is free to move wherever he wants after his contract with Turkish giants Besiktas was terminated in August.
The Ox turned 32 last month and has transitioned to a midfield role, bringing a wealth of experience with him. It's a gamble PSV have taken more often, so it's not out of the question.
Lorenzo Insigne
Speaking of experience...
Lorenzo Insigne had his contract at Toronto FC terminated in June and fits the exact profile PSV would look for. Like Noa Lang, who occupied the left wing during PSV's last two title charges, Insigne loves having the ball at his feet and cutting to his dangerous right foot.
Rumours of a return to Italy are doing the rounds, with Parma reportedly looking to pick Insigne up, but why would PSV not give it a chance? At 34, Insigne is not the oldest horse in the stable, and he was involved in a goal every 158 minutes in his final two seasons in the MLS.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh
A more straightforward name is that of Alireza Jahanbakhsh. The 95-time Iranian international holds a Dutch passport, having spent nine years of his life in the Netherlands playing for NEC, AZ, Feyenoord, and Heerenveen.
The 32-year-old winger, who last played for Heerenveen and was reportedly looking to find a new club outside of the Netherlands, has yet to find a new employer. Could PSV turn to Jahanbakhsh? His nearly 100 goal involvements in 202 Eredivisie games are surely worth something.
Wahbi Khazri
Another winger who fits Noa Lang's mould, Wahbi Khazri possesses heaps of quality in his feet and could be a valuable free addition for PSV.
The Tunisian international has 319 Ligue 1 appearances to his name, with the last one coming in May for Montpellier, and over 100 goal involvements. His time in the Premier League with Sunderland was less fruitful, scoring just three goals in 35 appearances, but that's a level of competition he wouldn't face in the Eredivisie.
Khazri is 34 years old, a 74-time international with 25 goals for Tunisia, and played 120 games in the last four seasons. And a natural left winger. It could be interesting for PSV to take a look at Khazri.
Outsiders
Outside of these five names, there are more, way more forwards out there looking for a new adventure. Dimitri Payet, Robin Quaison, Emmanuel Dennis, Zymer Bytiqi, and even Dele Alli are all players who could get calls from PSV.
Unlikely, but who knows?
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