Dutch legend Ronald de Boer was blown away by reported Southampton and Brighton target Giorgios Giakoumakis, describing the striker as a ‘phenomenon’ to ESPN, via FCUpdate.
But, during the penultimate matchday of the Dutch football season, Giakoumakis secured a rather unwelcome place in the history books.
His 26th strike of a stunning campaign against newly-crowned champions Ajax was not enough to save VVV Venlo from the drop.
With an injury keeping him out of the 4-0 defeat to Emmen on Sunday, the Greek goal-machine appears to have played his final game for the so-called Pride of the South.
TEAMtalk reports that Southampton, Brighton and Norwich City are all interested, with VVV expected to demand a fee in the region of £6 million.
De Boer, however, believes one of Holland’s biggest clubs could do a lot worse than to take a serious look at a striker who finished seven clear of Donyell Malen in the Golden Boot race, mustering 29 goals in all competitions.
“I want to see this boy at Feyenoord,” said the former Ajax, Barcelona and Rangers star, before admitting that Giakoumakis is likely to be beyond the reach of the Rotterdam giants.
“They have Lucas Pratto, Robert Bozenik and Nicolai Jorgensen. If I had to choose between those four, I would choose Giakoumakis.
“He is a real phenomenon, but too expensive anyway.”
VVV’s sporting director admitted back in April that Giakoumakis would probably be sold.
And relegation now appears to have scuppered any lingering hopes they might have had of retaining the most prolific centre-forward in Holland.
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