Vitesse Arnhem manager Thomas Letsch has admitted that the Eredivisie outfit will struggle to replace Danilho Doekhi if he joins Rangers on a free transfer, speaking to Omroep GLD.
In the summer of 2021, AZ Alkmaar lost their talismanic captain Teun Koopmeiners, their most prolific centre-forward Myron Boadu, their first-choice goalkeeper, their long-serving right-back and one of the league’s best creative midfielders.
At least AZ had nearly £50 million to show for that off-season exodus.
Vitesse, in contrast, are facing up to the very painful prospect of losing two extremely important players for nothing at all.
Riechedly Bazoar, the Dutch international who has been re-born in Letsch’s 3-5-2 formation, will be a free-agent next summer. Bazoar admitted to NOS earlier this week that Feyenoord and PSV have come calling.
Club captain Doekhi is also attracting plenty of interest.
The 23-year-old centre-back claims that Serie A giants Napoli want to sign him, as do a Rangers side now coached by Eredivisie-winning manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Will Rangers beat Napoli to Eredivisie star Danilho Doekhi?
“The situation is such that many contracts of key players are expiring,” says Letsch, who guided Vitesse to fourth place in his debut season in the Netherlands.
“We knew that and that process is ongoing. A new team will probably have to be built, led by the new technical director.
“If Riechedly Bazoer leaves on a free transfer in the summer, it will be difficult to find a replacement at his level. That also applies to a player like Danilho Doekhi.
“AZ sold good players for a lot of money last summer. That makes the situation for a club easier to select through. Now that may not be possible.
“I’m curious (to see) what will happen. If the results are good, it always generates more interest from players. There are offers coming. Some may get higher salaries.”
Rangers have been tracking Doekhi for a while now.
Reports from the Netherlands claimed in May that the Glasgow giants were willing to hand the Dutch U21 international a three-year contract at Ibrox.
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