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Dutch transfer chief responds to Newcastle playmaker speculation
By Tom Blackburn
PSV Eindhoven technical director Marcel Brands has refused to deny that his club are interested in signing Newcastle attacking midfielder Siem De Jong.
Goal claimed last week that PSV are looking to give the former Ajax star a second chance as the 27-year-old looks to breathe life into his career.
It is said that De Jong is in talks with Dutch club about a loan deal in order for them to fully assess his fitness.
Brands did not deny the De Jong interest, and said PSV would be making moves for a number of new players.
“But there are many,” Brands said, as quoted by local publication Eindhoven Dagblad. “We will certainly do something, but what exactly I will tell later.”
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The Newcastle playmaker, who is currently recovering from a muscle injury, has been told he can leave by manager Rafa Benitez after the Shields Gazette confirmed that he would be allowing six senior first-team members to leave St. James’ Park in the final weeks of the window.
De Jong’s agent Louis Laros said last week that his client is open to a move to PSV, where he would be united with his brother Luuk.
“Let me preface that there are no talks between PSV and us,” Laros said. “I get the idea though, because his brother plays in Eindhoven. Siem currently focuses on his recovery and will take probably another two or three weeks.”
Speaking to Dutch publication Voetbul Primeur last week, younger brother Luuk said that he would welcome a second footballing reunion with Siem, after both players were part of the de Graafschap youth academy.
“It’s a dream to play with him,” the former Gladbach striker said. “He is of course very welcome.
“It’s a shame that he is injured during pre-season. Hopefully he recovers quickly because he wants to feel good again and play football somewhere.”
Siem signed for the Magpies on a six-year deal in 2013 following a £6million transfer Dutch giants Ajax, but his time in Tyneside has been plagued by numerous injuries which has reduced his playing time to only four starts for the club.
The Magpies’ number 10 has fallen down the pecking order at St. James’ Park, after the signings of Matt Ritchie, Mohamed Diame and Dwight Gayle.
In other Newcastle transfer news, they are set to make a second bid for a playmaker after their £6million offer was rejected.