Heerenveen talisman Joey Veerman believes he is “ready” to leave the Eredivisie behind with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers one potential destination for the technically gifted Dutchman, speaking to Leeuwarder Courant.
With less than two months of the transfer window remaining, one of the best midfielders in the Netherlands appears to be growing impatient.
Despite being linked with two Champions League clubs – Rangers and Atalanta – at the end of April, that’s as far as things have gone (Voetbal International).
Heerenveen aren’t exactly overflowing with offers for Veerman, with manager Johnny Jansen suggesting a hefty £9 million price tag has his suitors running for the hills.
And there’s a reason why the 22-year-old has decided now’s the time to break his silence, with Veerman clearly trying to drum up interest before being consigned to another season at the Abe Lenstra Stadion.
Does Veerman remain a Rangers transfer target?
“I would like to take this step, yes,” said Veerman, whose nine goals and 11 assists weren’t enough to seal a top-half finish for an underperforming Heerenveen last season.
“I’ve been here for two years now and I really enjoyed it during that period. But I’ll be 23 soon. It’s time for a nice step in my career. I feel like I’m ready for that.
“It is exciting. I hope a club will soon reach an agreement with Heerenveen.”
Veerman was linked with a move to Italian club Hellas Verona this week.
And the former Volendam youngster would find it hard to turn down an approach from the Serie A outfit, telling Leeuwarder Courant there are worse places to live than the banks of Lake Garda.
“Hellas Verona seems like a very nice club. They finished tenth in Serie A last season. Moreover, Verona is a beautiful city, a ten-minute drive from Lake Garda. I used to go there on holiday.”
The river Clyde may not share Garda’s striking, waterside allure but Rangers can offer something Hellas can’t – Champions League football and a shot at silverware.
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