please log in to view this image Traditionally In England the first of July is the opening of the transfer market, it's that time of the year again when clubs can sign new players, or lose their players. I'm specifically not saying 'ditch' or 'get rid of' because in the Eredivisie, the yearly exodus in the summer is seen as a loss for fans. So when the transfer market opens, you'd expect the Dutch football fans to be in mourning, saying goodbye to their beloved star players. Not this time though, because most of the talents have left the country before the market even opened. In one of my previous blogs I wrote about the phenomenon that clubs already start negotiating and bidding on players in the Eredivisie as soon as the start of April, ironing out any problems so that a deal can be made quickly in May and June. And this year particularly they've been busy, with dozens of players leaving the Eredivisie in June, so here is a round up before it's the first of July: please log in to view this image Jeremain Lens, PSV -> Dynamo Kiev (9 million euro's) Dries Mertens, PSV -> Napoli (9.5 million euro's) Erik Pieters, PSV -> Stoke City (3.5 million euro's) Miralem Sulejmani, Ajax -> Benfica(Free agent) Ryan Babel, Ajax -> Kasimpasa(Free agent) Filip Djuricic, SC Heerenveen -> Benfica(6 million euro's) Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, SC Heerenveen -> AZ Alkmaar (undisclosed) Adam Maher, AZ Alkmaar -> PSV (8 million euro's) Leandro Bacuna, FC Groningen -> Aston Villa(1 million) Virgil van Dijk, FC Groningen -> Celtic (2.5 million) Nemanja Gudelj, NAC Breda -> AZ Alkmaar (3 million) Jeffrey Bruma, Chelsea -> PSV (3 million) Sanharib Malki, Roda JC -> Kasimpasa (1.5 million) Kyle Ebicilio, Arsenal -> FC Twente(Free agent) Nana Asare, FC Utrecht -> AA Gent(undisclosed) Jan Wuytens, FC Utrecht -> AZ Alkmaar(Free agent) *Stretches his neck and hands* A long list for just the month of June(Djuricic transfer excluded). A hectic months and the clubs have already cashed in a tens of millions of euro's and this will likely continue in the next two months. Money is rolling right now and this year's out-flux of players is far from over. By September first most of the clubs will have a complete new first team(mostly because they bought or loaned 11 new players, or in some cases pushed through a couple of youth players). Thus far only Feyenoord and Ajax have managed to cling on to their players, but for how much longer? The transfer rumours around Eriksen , De Vrij and De Jong have subsided in the past few weeks. PSV have sold their forwards and Ola Toivonen is likely to go to Norwich any time soon. July 1st is coming, but the market has opened weeks ago, But as always, I'll keep you posted when rumours pop up when they involve the Eredivisie. Signing off, Cove
I do enjoy your articles Cove because you seem to know what your talking about and you're writing about stuff that we don't. We could do with a few more of these Euro style articles from people in the know.
Completely agree with what Carrabuh says Cove, very insightful threads. I don't follow the Eredivisie much so just a few questions, out of curiousity. How did Ryan Babel do on his return to Ajax? Did it prove successful? I assume from the move to Kasimpasa that it wasn't. Also interesting to see Bruma be let go by Chelsea. I always thought he was one of their best prospects. Not that PSV is a bad move, but is it because they see Nathan Ake as a better prospect? Finally, how did Sulejmani get out on a free? A couple of years ago he and Eriksen were their best prospects if I remember rightly, was it him turning down contract offers or Ajax letting him go?
Long story short: Babel did decently at Ajax, but only signed a 1 year contract which he didn't extend and he signed for Kasimpasa as a free agent, I presume high wages and certain benefits. Bruma was never going to be selected by Chelsea, he knew that and he decided to move on, much like Lukaku and De Bruyne, Bruma was loaned out the first three seasons, but Bruma is a bit smarter and chose playing time over big money. Sulejmani is a different story, Ajax bought him at age 20 from SC Heerenveen for 16.5 million euro's. Till this day the highest transfer fee paid by a Dutch club. But they bought themselves a cat in the bag. He is complacent, injury prone and he was not able to perform under pressure. After 4 years his contract ran out, and Ajax was not keen to extend his 2 million a year wages and exorbitant bonuses. So out he went, did not play a single game in the 2012-2013 season. Benfica just picked him up as a free agent. And this is still the short story
If you're still around, Cove, what are your views on Maher joining PSV? Does that make Toivonen more likely to come to Norwich?
I thought maher was a really hot prospect and would move abroad or is it still a bit too soon? Also martens to Napoli is a good move looks a good player and a decent price. Where do you think Fer will end up Cove?
Fer will probably stay at Twente, didn't have a really outstanding season to put his name on top of the wish lists of managers me thinks. Everton is still in the picture but with a new manager and staff it's impossible to say if it is with the same interests as last winter. But I can see a couple of EPL and Bundesliga clubs eyeing to make a move on him, but most likely with low bids which Twente will shred straight away(they paid 5 million euro's for Fer). Maher was ready for a step higher, the kid is smart and has learned from other youngsters mistakes: moving out of the Eredivisie too soon only to end up in anonymity. Like Luc Castaignos, Elia, Babel or Ebicilio. Maher moving to PSV does not particularly improve your chances of getting Toivonen though. Maher is a versatile player and can play on most positions. With PSV selling Lens and Mertens, Maher can be seen as a replacement for either of them, although the wings are not his preferred positions. It doesn't help either that the transfer is funded with the earnings gained from the Lens and Mertens transfer, PSV is not in direct need of money.
Thanks for your answer, Cove. It's always good to have your views (even if the news is not necessarily good!).
Thanks, till two weeks ago I was in England. Studied English Broadcast Journalism in Sussex for half a year.
Hi Cove, are you familiar with the twitter account "Dutch Football @football_oranje? He's posted that Newcastle have pulled out of the Fer transfer, leaving a straight fight between Everton and Norwich! Is he a reliable source?
Cove, what are your thoughts on De Vrij? From the little I've seen of him he looks like a very decent prospect. I agree with Carrabuh that its great having contributions from those who know other leagues well, particularly those we appear to be shopping in. Unfortunately its not the easiest thing to attract!
I don't go by Twitter accounts, usually spread fake rumours or quote from others and make it look like they are the source. Very unreliable in my opinion but very useful to see what the public thinks. I don't have a Twitter account myself for that reason as well. De Vrij had his first proper season, that's to say without any injuries. He has done all right but I can't see him performing in a big league like the EPL, needs one or two seasons to gain more experience and to mature a bit. Even though he is the captain at Feyenoord he is a bit inconsistent and inexperienced compared to Martins Indi or Janmaar because between 2010 and 2012 he was injured most of the time, bad right knee. He is showing a lot of promise and is definitely one to watch in the future, but I'd say hands off for this summer.
Cove, with the little I've seen of Fer I must admit he doesn't float my boat, all the clips I've seen of him involve running forward in straight lines. Can he pass a ball?
In midfield he is the playmaker, so yes he can pass the ball around effectively. However, He is more of a DM then an AM due to his physique. He is not very agile but he is fast and he is very strong, especially in the air. Many football analysts here in The Netherlands think he is more suitable for a defender position, fullback or centre back. He can score goals but most of them are with the head from corners or from free kicks flicked in the box. Haven't seen him take proper free kicks or corners, those are usually taken by Chadli or Tadic. He is your typical Dutch midfielder: strong, good technique and creates action, always looking to start the attack.
