Erik ten Hag is also charmed by Joey Veerman, according to Mike Verweij. Because Ajax scout Michel Doesburg ‘does not like it at all’ in the 23-year-old midfielder of sc Heerenveen, the team from Amsterdam takes it, according to the Ajax watcher of The Telegraph not for the time being. Feyenoord is currently concrete in the market for Veerman.
“There is something strange going on at Ajax, because I understand that Erik ten Hag is charmed by Joey Veerman”, Verweij begins in Kick-Off, the football podcast of The Telegraph. “One positive report after another is pouring in from the scouting, but there is one scout who doesn’t like it at all. Michel Doesburg came from AZ and apparently has so much power that Ajax does not go through, because the status there is that they do not need him. But for six million plus a good resale rate…”
A transfer fee of six million euros plus resale percentage was mentioned on Thursday by agent Fulco van Kooperen in conversation with The Telegraph. “That means that Heerenveen will no longer receive any extra money,” Valentijn Driessen responds. “From Feyenoord or Ajax he will no longer make a big transfer. That’s his peak. I also think that he prefers to stay in Volendam.”
“AZ was also interested, but they now have a number of midfielders from their own youth who are developing very well,” Verweij adds. “So I think AZ is dropping out. If you are Ajax, you can get him for six million and you say that he will not play much in his first six months… Everyone knows how Ziyech was doing, that still had to be improved. You have to be prepared for six months and then show that you are an Ajax player.”
“Ajax now has a lot of midfielders, so that’s why the story is that he is not needed. But you also do not know how Gravenberch’s situation (his contract expires in 2023, ed.) will develop,” Verweij continues. “Let’s not forget that in 2016 Ajax was knocked out by Rostov in the preliminary round of the Champions League. Peter Bosz and Marc Overmars did not need Ziyech, because he was not needed. Until they lost 4-1 there. Then came Ziyech and the rest is known. I think Veerman is ready for a step up, whether it is to Ajax or Feyenoord. Feyenoord is concrete and Ajax is not.”
“I understand the doubts about Joey Veerman,” says Driessen. “I have not seen him against Feyenoord, that is a top match. He plays a bit as a defensive midfielder, then you expect him to switch and he just doesn’t. Those are things you should take with you. I also want to see his strong points against Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord.”