Is Eredivisie top-scorer Alfred Finnbogason suited to Premiership move?
Heerenveen striker Alfred Finnbogason has just finished top-scorer in Dutch Eredivisie. He hit an impressive 29 goals in 32 games.
The 25-year-old Iceland international also managed 10 assists making him one of the most effective strikers in Europe last season.
An emerging front-man with a record like Finnbogason’s will no doubt attract many clubs across Europe.
The road from Holland to England’s Premiership is well trodden as the table below highlights.
| Season | Player | Dutch Club | English Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99/00 | Ruud van Nistelrooy | PSV | Manchester United |
| 03/04 | Mateja Kezman | PSV | Chelsea |
| 04/05 | Dirk Kuyt | Feyenoord | Liverpool |
| 06/07 | Alfonso Alves | Heerenveen | Middlesbrough |
| 09/10 | Luis Suarez | Ajax | Liverpool |
| 12/13 | Wilfried Bony | Vitesse | Swansea City |
The most recent Eredivisie leading scorer, Wilfried Bony, made the short journey to become Swansea’s top scorer for around £10.5million last summer.
PFA Player of the Year Luis Suarez topped the Dutch scoring charts in 09/10, with Dirk Kuyt and Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy also hitting top spot shortly before crossing the channel.
Valued at just under £8million and heading in to the final year of his contract, landing the 184cm striker might prove a bargain signing. However, the move doesn’t always go according to plan.
In 06/07, then Premier League club Middlesbrough splashed out €20million on Heerenveen and Dutch league leading scorer Alfonso Alves. The club were relegated the same season and Brazilian Alves, now only 33, has been without a club since 2013.
Chelsea also experienced a torrid time with £12million signing Mateja Kezman. The Serb scored just four times for the Blues after three scoring table topping seasons with PSV.
Everton made enquiries late last year with Martinez a noted admirer of Finnbogason. Although the transfer holds a slight risk, when you consider Bergkamp, Huntelaar and Brazilian legend Ronaldo also topped the Eredivisie scoring charts before heading abroad, it seems worth a punt.
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