Kevin van Veen situation has changed, could ‘play into Rangers’ hands’ in January transfer window
The fact that Kevin van Veen’s personal life has changed could yet work to the benefit of Rangers since he is now ready to move back to Scotland, according to Dean Jones.
The TEAMtalk journalist told GiveMeSport (5 January) that he isn’t convinced the Light Blues will actually move for the former Motherwell striker, although he does accept that the Dutchman’s scoring record in the SPFL would give him an “edge” on other targets.
After leaving for Groningen in the summer it appears the 32-year-old could be set for a return already, with his first child factoring into the equation just as Philippe Clement is expected to want to sign a striker.
Jones said: “In terms of what you’d be getting for the second half of the season, it would be a big lift. I’m just not convinced that they’ll actually go ahead with it.
“There are obvious reasons to feel that the links might fit and the fact that he got 20 goals in the SPL last time out gives them a little edge on other targets they might be looking at in a moment like this.
“I think the most intriguing factor around it is that is life situation seems to have changed, and his personal life might mean that he is interested in a move back to Scotland so that could play into Rangers’ hands here.
“It’s definitely an interesting one to consider, but I’m not sure that there’s loads in it at the moment.”
Interim
On paper there is a fairly decent argument for Rangers to pick Van Veen up this month given there aren’t a huge number of options who have proven they can score regularly in the Scottish Premiership who are available and affordable.
Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland would be the obvious answer if a deal could be done, with interest on the part of the Gers and the Scot himself.
But the Jambos are a totally different proposition and could quite easily have priced him out of an Ibrox switch, in this window at least.
Unless Clement and his recruitment staff can unearth alternatives elsewhere that can be brought in without breaking the bank then a relatively low-cost Van Veen deal might work.
But whether Groningen would be willing to accommodate that, or whether the forward’s age makes it a moot point, is another matter.
If Rangers do look elsewhere then it raises the obvious risk of new arrivals struggling to adapt, as has happened to a greater or lesser extent with the summer haul of Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers and Danilo.
And 25 league strikes for Motherwell last season certainly can’t be sniffed at when a return along the same lines could feasibly win a title this term.
In other Rangers news, after bringing in Silva on loan another Premier League forward now wants to head to Ibrox.