Monday, August 23, 2021 at 2:11 PM• Rian Rosendaal • Last update: 14:16

After Abdou Harroui, Sparta Rotterdam threatens to lose another player in the final phase of the summer transfer market. Football International announces on Monday that FC Groningen continues to try to take over Laros Duarte, despite a rejected offer from the Rotterdam team last week. The 24-year-old midfielder is open to an interim departure from Sparta, he said on Sunday.

Technical director Mark-Jan Fledderus wanted to explore other options after the rejected first offer, but sources around Sparta report to Football International that Duarte is still in the picture at Groningen. After a trip to PSV, the midfielder returned to Sparta in January 2019, where his contract continues until the summer of 2022. It is not yet known which transfer fee the Rotterdam club uses for Duarte.

Sparta Rotterdam reports agreement on transfer of Abdou Harroui

It now appears that the midfielder is on his way to Nottingham Forest.Read article

“Everyone wants to take a step higher. That would be good for my development,” said Duarte after the 1-1 draw against Heracles Almelo in conversation with RTV Rijnmond. “Unfortunately, it is not up to me. The club knows that I would like to make a step to a club like FC Groningen. But until that happens, I will focus on Sparta and the matches that are here.” Duarte did not know on Saturday evening what concrete interest had been received from the Sparta leadership. “If the step is possible, then I certainly want to take it. If not, then it is no different and I will continue in the way I ended last season. It is indeed a matter of waiting.”

Sparta reported Friday morning that an agreement had been reached on Harroui’s transfer fee, although his next club was not announced. According to Football International he is well on his way to Nottingham Forest, which is able to trump Aston Villa. The transfer has yet to be finalized by all parties involved. Harroui was in any case missing from Sparta’s match selection on Saturday for the meeting with Heracles. According to RTV Rijnmond the transfer fee is between 2.5 and 3 million euros. The 23-year-old midfielder was on Groningen’s list last year, which, however, failed to bring him in.