Vertonghen to Arsenal? Five Eredivisie to Premier League transfers that could happen this summer

ANALYSIS
By Wayne Veysey

As the climax of the 2010-11 season nears, clubs around Europe are gearing up for another busy and dramatic transfer window.

Some of the continent’s most coveted stars are on the radar of the Premier League’s big spenders as they seek to bolster their squads and challenge for silverware next year.

This week Goal.com UK brings you a special guide on the players from the top flights of Spain, Italy, Netherlands, France and Germany who are garnering strong interest from the Premier League.

With the assistance of Goal.com Netherlands‘ Eredivisie expert, Wout Stravers, we analyse some of the top stars who could be on the move from Holland – and look at the options for where they could end up…

PSV Eindhoven recently quelled speculation about their star player’s future by tying him to a contract extension but he is still being monitored by the top clubs in England, Spain and Italy, including Liverpool and Manchester United.

PSV admit that it will be impossible to hold on to the free-scoring left winger – who has scored 16 league goals and 24 in all competitions this season, plus weighed in with 11 Eredivisie assists – should they receive a significant offer.

The Hungarian has said his dream destination would be Spain although it is unlikely he will be following former team-mate Ibrahim Afellay to Barcelona.

Dzsudzsak, 24, is not believed to be quite ready to make the step up to the established Champions League elite clubs, so a switch to a second tier club is considered more likely.

The view from Goal.com’s Dutch football editor Wout Stravers: Dzsudzsak became more important after the departure of Ibrahim Afellay. But he was not as good as last year, although he had a major part in all goals and assists. There is a critic from PSV-watchers that he only plays well in home matches. He has been by far the best player for PSV this season, but he has also been a bit precarious. There have not been too many rumours surrounding Dzsudzsak’s future over the last few months, also because he agreed a new deal at PSV. In the past some English clubs, such as Liverpool and Manchester United, were believed to be interested. He has said he would love to play in Spain. “Its my dream to play in Spain. Not to be at the bench, that would be a smart step,” he said. He is not ready for the really big clubs like United, Chelsea, Barca and Real. Maybe a step after that, possibly a move to Liverpool or Villarreal.

A stampede of top clubs led by Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Juventus have been beating Ajax’s door down to make their interest clear in the much-coveted Netherlands No.1.

With just 12 months left on his contract, the goalkeeper is available for a knock-down £10 million and has indicated to the club he joined as a 15-year-old that he will leave the Amsterdam Arena in the summer.

Stekelenburg, who has been in outstanding form this season, has been most strongly linked with United, especially after the club’s Dutch-reared first-team coach Rene Meulensteen broke cover in January to confirm their interest.

His preferred destination is believed to be Old Trafford and United are ready to turn their attention to securing the Ajax man if they cannot complete a deal to sign Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea.

But north London duo Arsenal and Spurs are waiting in the wings should De Gea join United and Stekelenburg’s availability become clearer.

Wout Stravers: Stekelenburg was outstanding  all season. He had to start very, very early because of Champions League qualifiers with Ajax and he only had 13 days of holiday after the World Cup. But he was in shape immediately. Without Stekelenburg Ajax are not in the race for the title anymore. His best match was the 0-0 draw away to PSV, where he made a number of magnificent saves to secure a point for Ajax. For the last six weeks he has been injured and has been out of action with a broken thumb. He has been linked with moves to Juventus and Manchester United, but his agent stated last week: “There is no contact with any club at the moment. Not from Italian clubs or other clubs. If he wants to depart? I can’t say anything about it. There is also the possibility he signs extension at Ajax.” Well, I think Stekelenburg will fit into any great team. United would be perfect. I would advice Arsenal, Tottenham and Bayern Münich to buy him as well. Don’t underestimate him. He is within the best five goalkeepers of the world, I can assure you.

Despite an underwhelming season for Ajax, the dynamic right-back has attracted plenty of interest from marquee clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

Barcelona had also lined up £17m-rated Van der Wiel as a replacement for Dani Alves before the Brazilian ended tortuous transfer negotiations and signed a new contract earlier this year.

City informally spoke to Ajax in January about Van der Wiel, 23, but were told that the Dutch club were not interested in selling both their right-back and Luis Suarez in the same window.

Wout Stravers: It was not his best year this season. He looked like he had still not recovered 100 per cent from the busy summer with the Netherlands, especially in the last couple of weeks, where he has not looked in shape. During the cup final against FC Twente he was voted by our correspondent as Flop of the Match. So when he would like to make a big transfer, he needs to improve greatly. Bayern Munich, and especially Manchester City, have both been linked with Van der Wiel. At the moment he needs to stay one more year at Ajax because of his poor recent form. I would say – when he is in shape – Arsenal would be a nice team for him with his attacking style of play. Only recently he denied the agreement with Bayern Münich. “Everyone congratualates me, but there is no deal,” he said three weeks ago.

The Belgian centre-back has declared that he will not even speak about his Ajax future before Sunday’s nail-shredding title decider against FC Twente but there is little doubt he will be the third of the club’s big-name departures this summer.

Arsenal have been pursuing the ball-playing defender, a friend and international colleague of Thomas Vermaelen, for nearly two years while AC Milan have also been strongly linked with him.

Everton have also lined him up as a possible replacement for Phil Jageilka, although the centre-back’s excellent season has probably put him out of the Merseysiders’ reach.

Ajax coach Frank de Boer went on the record to announce that Roberto Mancini watched Vertonghen last weekend, a ploy no doubt to drive up the fee for the Belgium international.

The defender has two years left on his contract and is believed to be valued at around £8m by Ajax.

Vertonghen has openly declared his ambition to play in the Premier League and his physical qualities, aerial power and goalscoring ability (he has scored six league goals) would appear to make him an ideal target for Arsenal.

Wout Stravers: He was most of the time one of the best players for Ajax this season. The last three months in particular, he became the leader of Ajax. Since the injury to Stekelenburg, he is the captain of the team, and for a defender, he has scored more goals expected of him. He has been linked with a move to Manchester City this week, while AC Milan and Arsenal are also reportedly interested. I think Arsenal would fit him perfect. He is a brave defender (more then Vermaelen) and scores more then Vermaelen does. “I dont depart to a club which I don’t feel chemistry with. I like England and their atmosphere around soccer. Its a bit nostalgic,” he said. “This is the first year I’m thinking about a transfer.”

Ever since standing out as the outstanding talent in an exceptional generation of players at the revered Feyenoord academy, the attacking midfielder has been linked with all the top Premier League clubs.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have been closely monitoring the technically gifted 20-year-old, who has recently hit a purple patch following a prolonged spell of poor form earlier in the campaign.

That could have put off suitors plotting a move this summer, although it is believed to be only a matter of time before he leaves cash-strapped Feyenoord.

Wijnaldum has often been played in a wide role by his club but has the touch, vision, passing range and change of pace to develop into a classic No.10. He also has an eye for goal, as proven by his haul of 14 league goals this season.

Wout Stravers: The first 25 matches of the season, Wijnaldum was just as bad as his team. Not scoring much, lost his famous laugh and was even crying after one defeat. The last two months he became the ‘old’ Wijnaldum again. Scoring, laughing and playing magnificent. The game against PSV was his best as he scored two headers. The latest club to be linked with Wijnaldum was Newcastle United, and he is still doubting about an extension at Feyenoord. He is expected to wait to the decision of other team-mates to stay at Feyenoord or not (Vlaar, Fer). A club with a positive style of play and two holding midfielders would be a good choice for him. In terms of quality, a team like Newcastle or Aston Villa will be his level at the moment.