A look at five stars from the Eredivisie who could be heading to the Premier League in January.
Wilfried Bony - Vitesse
Bony is one of the hottest properties in Holland and the current Eredivisie top scorer. Aston Villa
were linked with a move for the 24-year-old in the summer but other clubs will now be interested as the forward's reputation continues to grow. The Ivory Coast international has been
offered a new deal at Vitesse but has already
expressed a desire to bring his time in Arnhem to a close and
Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly considering a bid for the former Sparta Prague star in January.
Sky Sports' Dutch expert Gerrit van Leeuwen says: "The Ivory Coast striker has grown into one of the best strikers in The Netherlands. Due to his physical strength he would definitely fit well in the Premier League. Vitesse are desperate to keep him and, possibly with the aid of partner-club Chelsea, they could succeed in keeping Bony in Arnhem until the end of the season. Interested clubs could also switch their interest to other players due to his participation with Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations."
| Eredivisie top scorers 2012/13 |
|
|
| Player Name |
Team |
Goals |
| WILFRIED BONY |
VITESSE |
15 |
| Alfred Finnbogason |
Heerenveen |
12 |
| Graziano Pelle |
Feyenoord |
11 |
| Jozy Altidore |
AZ Alkmaar |
9 |
| Lex Immers |
Feyenoord |
9 |
|
Miralem Sulejmani - Ajax
Ajax broke the Dutch transfer record to take Sulejmani to Amsterdam in 2008 but are seemingly willing to take a considerable hit on the Serbia international after four years in which he has largely flattered to deceive. Injury problems have played their part in that but at just 24 there is time for Sulejmani to fulfil his considerable promise.
West Ham were
linked with a move in the summer and are believed to have secured a loan to take the player to Upton Park back in 2010 only for work permit problems to scupper a deal. A transfer looks imminent with Ajax
ready to consider offers and Sulejmani openly admitting he is
keen to test himself in one of Europe's top leagues.
Sky Sports' Dutch expert Gerrit van Leeuwen says: "Sulejmani previously turned down the offer to extend his expiring deal. After that decision, coach Frank de Boer decided to let him train with the reserve squad. Now it's expected Sulejmani is looking to move on in January. West Ham and Wigan are reported to be interested."
Nacer Chadli - FC Twente
The Belgium international of Moroccan descent has won many admirers in his two years at Twente and appears set to move on soon. A deal with Fulham
nearly came to fruition in the summer and it seems likely that 23-year-old winger will become the latest Belgian looking to take the Premier League by storm.
Sky Sports' Dutch expert Gerrit van Leeuwen says: "Chadli is the latest Belgian player who is using the Eredivisie as a stepping stone to the Premier League. It's expected he will move on in January or otherwise in the summer to the Premier League. But Chadli has had the chance to play in the Premier League already. The attacking midfielder wasn't interested in a move to Fulham as he is looking for a bigger English side."
Jeremain Lens - PSV
The 25-year-old forward has been earmarked as a player of some potential for several years now but is beginning to make the step up with a series of impressive displays for PSV Eindhoven. Lens has scored three goals for Holland in World Cup qualifying and looks set to play a significant role under his former AZ Alkmaar coach Louis van Gaal.
Lens was
linked with a summer move to Southampton but his improvement since then may spark interest from bigger clubs with
Liverpool reported to have been considering a bid in October. What appears certain is that an Eredivisie exit will come sooner rather than later with Lens
keen to test himself at the highest level.
Sky Sports' Dutch expert Gerrit van Leeuwen says: "Lens have spoken out his desire to play in a bigger league soon. He hopes to earn a move to England or Germany in the winter break or otherwise in the summer. Lens has previously been linked with a move to Newcastle."
| Eredivisie assists 2012/13 |
|
|
| Player Name |
Team |
Goals |
| Dries Mertens |
PSV |
9 |
| Dusan Tadic |
Twente |
9 |
| JEREMAIN LENS |
PSV |
7 |
| Willie Overtoom |
Heracles |
7 |
| Ruben Schaken |
Feyenoord |
6 |
|
Douglas - FC Twente
Douglas was heavily
linked with a summer move to Newcastle but a deal could not be agreed and the centre-back elected to stay at Twente. Despite being born in Brazil, the 24-year-old is now a naturalised Dutchman and was
called up to the national team by Holland coach Louis van Gaal less than a month after receiving his passport.
Sky Sports' Dutch expert Gerrit van Leeuwen says: "The Brazil-born defender holds a Dutch passport since the end of August so there will be no work permit issues. He has an expiring deal at FC Twente and the club has already brought in Danish defender Andreas Bjelland as his replacement but it's unclear whether Douglas is interested in a move in January or wants to benefit from his expiring deal."
