Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Agent Confirms Contact For "Next Van Basten"

Sport.co.uk can confirm that Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have enquired about the availability of FC Utrecht forward Ricky Van Wolfswinkel who has been compared to Dutch great Marco Van Basten.

The starlet has been monitored closely by the aforementioned Premier League duo, while Arsenal and Newcastle United have also kept a close eye on the striker, however the player’s representative has confirmed Roy Hodgson and Harry Redknapp are considering bids for the forward.

“At this moment it is unlikely Ricky will move because I have not received an concrete offer from either Tottenham Hotspur or Liverpool.” Louis Laros explained to Sport.co.uk.

“I cannot say at the moment if it is serious interest, an enquiry, or just rumours. We are waiting for calls from both clubs, as we need an official offer from Liverpool or Spurs to proceed."

Laros did stress that his client was keen to leave FC Utrecht and seal a move to the Premier League.

“He is eager to move and he finds Tottenham and Liverpool both very interesting opportunities.

“In the game against Liverpool he got injured, and he is still a couple of weeks off being fully fit, but everything has gone well. But as I said, I have not had an offer from either club, so we are waiting.”

Van Wolfswinkel, a regular starter for the Dutch under-21s and recently capped at full international level, is regarded as one of Europe’s hottest young talents having been closely watched by the continent's top clubs since making his debut for Vitesse Arnhem in 2008.

The hitman has since moved to FC Utrecht where he has established himself as the club's leading front-man and helped them to a seventh place Eredivisie finish. The striker has scored 17 goals in his last 24 appearances in all competitions.

Liverpool’s new Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli has highlighted the Dutchman as a great prospect for the future, while Newcastle United under manager Chris Hughton were keeping regular tabs on the impressive youngster..

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has kept a close eye on the striker but has admitted that he will only move for a player in January in “exceptional” circumstances. Harry Redknapp is a big admirer of the forward sending regular scouts to watch van Wolfswinkel but reports this morning suggest the North London club are closing in on a £17 million move for Ajax striker Luis Suarez.

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