The potential of a move to the Premier League for Fulham target Milan van Ewijk came to an end when Heerenveen sold striker Amin Sarr to Lyon, the right-back’s agent tells Soccernieuws.
Not that it really mattered in the end, of course.
After weeks of protracted negotiations, Fulham finally reached a deal with London rivals Arsenal for Portugal international Cedric Soares on deadline day. Per Fabrizio Romano, the former Southampton defender – who worked with Marco Silva at Sporting Lisbon – joins on a short-term basis until the end of the season, without a purchase clause in his contract.
Presuming Cedric does not stay beyond the summer, then, there is still a chance Fulham could return for Van Ewijk in June or July.
The Cottagers had shown an interest in the Amsterdam-born flyer when the Cedric deal appeared to be stalling. But, after selling 21-year-old speedster Sarr to one of France’s biggest clubs for a cool £10 million, Heerenveen had no need to cash in on another key player. Not yet, anyway.
Fulham land Cedric Soares as Milan van Ewijk stays at Heerenveen
“Unfortunately, it didn’t work out,” says Danny Ris, Van Ewijk’s representative. “The reason is that Heerenveen has closed the door.
“Due to the transfer from Amin Sarr to Olympique Lyon, the club no longer needs the money. So, he stays with Heerenveen.”
The £10 million-rated Van Ewijk will not be too disappointed (Voetbal International). One of the Eredivisie’s best and most attack-minded full-backs admitted to having mixed feelings about a mid-season switch to Craven Cottage.
“(The interest) is nice,” Van Ewijk said. “The feeling and the plan just have to be right. I’m a guy who goes by feeling. If Fulham doesn’t suit me, then I’m not going.”
“Of course, it is a big step to Fulham. The plan must be good, otherwise I will be wasting my time there.
“It would be nice to develop myself somewhere in between, and then perhaps go to the Premier League or the Bundesliga from there. Step by step. Otherwise, the step may be too big. I’d stand still. Then I am unhappy in England.”
Van Ewijk was also on the radar of Sporting Lisbon; the Portuguese giants needing a replacement for the Tottenham Hotspur-bound Pedro Porro. Former Arsenal ace Hector Bellerin arrives from Barcelona instead.
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