Liverpool preparing to sign Dutch sensation
After weeks of speculation linking the youngster with a move to the Premier League, it seems Liverpool may finally capture their man this month with a last gasp effort to sign Luuk de Jong.
The Dutch international has reportedly been on the radar of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham this month but Liverpool have emerged as favourites to land his signature over the past week.
Numerous media outlets have suggested that the main reason de Jong’s transfer has failed to materialize already is down to the player’s fear that a mid-season move may interrupt his chances of making it into Holland’s squad for Euro 2012.
De Jong has made 88 appearances for current club FC Twente scoring 39 goals in the process, three of which came in a hat-trick performance against FC Groningen over the weekend.
Liverpool have been in the market for a forward despite their cut-price capture of Craig Bellamy over the summer and see de Jong as the ideal signing.
The necessity for an extra attacker could obviously also be influenced by the faltering form of Andy Carroll who continues to be linked with moves away from the club both temporary and permanent.
After ascending through the Netherlands youth ranks, de Jong made his debut for the nation’s senior team in February of last year and has since made six appearances for Bert van Marwijk’s Oranje.
The 21 year-olds fears of losing his place in the Holland setup may be justified as he risks playing a bit-part role at Anfield should a transfer be completed but the FC Twente forward may have little choice in the matter should the Merseysiders meet the player’s £12m valuation.
