Rangers will have to part with at least £9 million if they are serious about taking Heerenveen’s Eredivisie star Joey Veerman to Ibrox this summer, according to market expert Chris Woerts on De Oranjezomer.
Two months after reports emerged linking one of the top midfielders in the Netherlands with a move to the blue half of Glasgow, we’re still not certain how serious Rangers’ interest really is.
While Veerman blossomed into one of the most influential players in Dutch football last season, contributing nine goals and 11 assists for a Heerenveen side that slumped to a disappointing mid-table finish, some – including former Gers hero Michael Mols – have questioned whether a dynamic attacking midfielder could adapt to the rough and tumble of Scottish football.
There can be no doubting Veerman’s technical ability. But would the pace of the British game be too much for a player who has shone among the more sedate tempo of the Eredivisie?
Can Rangers afford Eredivisie star Joey Veerman?
Either way, paying upwards of £9 million for a player whose strengths may be better suited to life in Serie A, for instance, would be a substantial risk for a club with Rangers’ financial means.
“(Italian club) Hellas Verona has officially reported to Heerenveen and made a written offer, but the club has not yet agreed (to sell),” says Woerts, who formerly worked with Feyenoord and as the Eredivisie’s commercial director from 2004 to 2005.
“Heerenveen are thinking of an amount of €10 million plus, while Hellas Verona are thinking of around €5 million and a large re-sale percentage.”
Heerenveen, however, have so far played down reports suggesting Veerman could go, with manager Johnny Jansen suggesting a £9 million price tag may have put off potential suitors.
What’s more, with Rangers landing former Sheffield United man John Lundstram on a free this week, does that mean the Premiership champions have now bowed out of the race for Veerman?
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