Heerenveen have issued a warning to clubs that want to buy Joey Veerman, with technical director Ferry de Haan telling Omrop Fryslan the reported Rangers target is tied down to a long-term contract.
Speaking last week, Veerman’s former manager Robert Molenaar admitted he wasn’t surprised to see Rangers take an interest in the 22-year-old Dutchman.
And his stance will be shared by anyone who has watched in awe as Veerman blossoms into one of the most influential midfielders in the Eredivisie. He’s a league-leading talent who looks far too good for a Heerenveen side mired in mid-table.
A tally of nine goals and ten assists from the centre of the park merely scratches the surface. The former Volendam man is a midfield machine, a relentless driving force who excels when snatching back possession before starting an attack of his own with an inch-perfect through ball.
It’s not hard to imagine Veerman, with his pitch-perfect blend of technique and tenacity, slotting into Steven Gerrard’s Rangers XI with ease (Voetbal International).
However, despite interest from the Scottish Premiership champions, as well as Atalanta and PSV Eindhoven, there’s no guarantee Veerman will be going anywhere this summer. Under contract until 2024, Heerenveen hold all the cards.
“He currently has a three-year contract with us. Nobody has officially (expressed their interest in signing) him yet,” says De Haan.
Veerman is understood to be valued at about £11 million – a fee that would see him replace Tore Andre Flo as the most expensive footballer in Rangers’ history.
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