Heerenveen coach Johnny Jansen believes Joey Veerman’s £9 million price tag may have scared suitors as reports linking the Dutchman with Rangers grow cold, speaking to ESPN.
At the end of April, Veerman’s face was plastered across newspapers across the continent.
One of the most influential midfielders in the Eredivisie was being linked with clubs from Amsterdam to Italy and Glasgow to Germany. Voetbal International even suggested Steven Gerrard’s Rangers were battling the likes of Atalanta for the 22-year-old’s signature.
But, two months on, things have gone quieter than a Europa League night at the Emirates.
Rangers appear to be looking elsewhere, even though they’ve missed out on both Salih Ozcan and Billy Gilmour, while Atalanta are now prioritising a deal for Sweden international Mattias Svanberg instead.
And, according to Jansen, that may have something to do with the fact Veerman would cost a fee in the region of £9 million. It’s worth pointing out Rangers have only spent more than that on a single player once before – on Tore Andre Flo two decades ago.
Has Joey Veerman become too expensive for Rangers?
“At the moment, 100 per cent, no clubs have come yet (and made a bid for Veerman),” says Jansen, who led Heerenveen to a disappointing mid-table finish last season.
“It is also true clubs may be a bit shocked by the price that may have to be paid. I think they once said about €10 million or something.
“Whether (such a fee) is madness or not, I don’t know either. But that can scare people.”
A few weeks ago, Veerman’s namesake and partner-in-crime Henk Veerman admitted he expected the Netherlands youth star to leave the Abe Lenstra Stadium before the transfer window closes at the end of August while suggesting Celtic may also be interested.
But, right now, things are moving at a snail’s pace, with Veerman himself admitting a potential move to Dutch giants Ajax or PSV looks increasingly unlikely (ESPN).
PSV recently brought Davy Propper back to the Eredivisie from Brighton and Hove Albion.
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