Never mind Lionel Messi, the real transfer saga of the summer surrounds the future of Heerenveen’s Joey Veerman.
The Dutch under-21 cap has been linked him with a move to Ibrox as well as the likes of PSV and Feyenoord but it would appear as if the central midfielder’s price tag remains a huge stumbling block for those that are interested.
The impasse seems to centre around qualification for the Champions League, certainly for Rangers anyway, having an extra £30-40million in the coffers would obviously allow Steven Gerrard a little more freedom in the transfer market, not that the pressure is having any effect on the player’s confidence.
Veerman is under contract until 2024 so he isn’t in a great position to try to force a move with his last extension being less than a year ago, however, he has scored two goals already which shows that he is taking being in the spotlight in his stride.
26. En na de wissel is het meteen raak! Joey Veerman zet met een schot van afstand de stand weer in evenwicht.#HEELEC | 1-1 pic.twitter.com/2Nyvq1k7Cr
— sc Heerenveen (@scHeerenveen) August 7, 2021
It was something that was visibly missing against Dundee United, creativity from midfield. With Joe Aribo lining up further forward and Iani Hagi injured, we lacked spark and imagination when we needed it most. It’s fine having 80% possession and moving the ball about but there needs to be penetration.
Veerman scored nine goals and created 11 assists in the Eredivisie last season and is a genuine number eight unlike Aribo and Hagi that are converted number tens, John Lundstram could yet be that player when he adapts to our system and style of play but you’d struggle to find a Rangers fan that isn’t desperate to see the 22-year old added to the squad to fill a space that has been vacant for some time now.