Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool made a ‘move’ for former Ajax defender Perr Schuurs before his £8 million move to Serie A outfit Torino in the summer transfer window, agent George Gardi tells Tuttosport.
Exactly when Spurs and Liverpool expressed their interest, however, is not quite certain. It is unlikely that either club threw their respective hats into the ring this summer, following a rather underwhelming 2021/22 campaign at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Liverpool were linked back in 2020, however; Schuurs impressing during a Champions League meeting between Ajax and Jurgen Klopp’s Merseyside giants. A performance in which the now-22-year-old showcased the strength, the style and the technical ability that had led some to label him the second-coming of Matthijs de Ligt in the Dutch capital.
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur liked former Ajax ace Perr Schuurs
“Clubs of the calibre of Tottenham, Liverpool and PSG had moved to take the player,” explains Gardi; having played a key role in Schuurs’ £8 million switch from Ajax to Italy last month.
“The operation was long. In addition to Liverpool, Tottenham, PSG, three Italian clubs also wanted Schuurs. However, having chosen a path, we went on to follow it without delay, with strong conviction. Thanks to Torino, I am sure Schuurs can become a pillar of the Dutch national team.”
It feels a little far-fetched, after Schuurs tumbled down the pecking order under Erik Ten Hag, that Liverpool, Tottenham or Paris Saint-Germain would have renewed their interest in the Netherlands U21 international before he completed a cut-price move to Turin.
And Schuurs certainly has a point to prove in Italy. Can he live up to those early expectations? Was the form that caught the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs merely a flash in the proverbial pan?
“(Schuurs) will be the new Matthijs de Ligt,” former Liverpool striker Michael Owen told BT Sport (21 October, 10.30pm) after Ajax lost 1-0 at home to Klopp’s side nearly two years ago.
“He is still young, but what a body and what strength. He already reminds me a lot of De Ligt.
“Nice on the ball, aggressive and strong for his age. (Ajax) sold De Ligt for a lot of money but he can take over that role completely.”
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