Gyrano Kerk is enduring a difficult start to the season and, speaking to NOS, the Utrecht forward admits his form has been affected by links with Leeds United and Celtic.
While one of the quickest forwards in Holland finally added some end product to his searing pace last season, producing a career-best tally of 21 goals and assists in total, things have gone downhill since 2020/21 kicked off.
The Mirror (27 September, page 74) reported Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds were planning a late summer bid for the £10 million-rated attacker before turning their attention to Rennes’ Raphinha instead.
Former Utrecht coach John van den Brom, meanwhile, confirmed Celtic’s interest in the Amsterdam-born 25-year-old (Daily Record).
Since then, Kerk has scored just two Eredivisie goals – and none in his last eight games.
Speaking before a 2-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, the flying Dutchman claimed distracting transfer speculation has played its part as he looks to rediscover his Midas Touch.
“Of course, (the rumours) got into my head. I would be lying if I said that it is not the case,” Van de Kerk said.
“But that shouldn’t be the reason why it’s going like this at the moment. I have to flip the switch.
“If the team is playing better, you will play better yourself. Or the other way around – if I play well, the team will also be better.”
Utrecht supporters may be a tad concerned about a lack of goals from their star man but Kerk at least has the support of a modern-day Netherlands legend in his corner.
“Kerk is a player who basically has everything. He is fast, has vision, is technical and can score. He can still play a level higher in the near future,” former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie told De Telegraaf last week.
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