Rangers must push now for Kevin van Veen transfer after Groningen manager comments
Groningen manager Dick Lukkien has set a deadline for striker Kevin van Veen to return to the squad amid recent interest from Rangers.
The Gers have been linked with the 32-year-old in recent weeks, with Derek Ferguson backing him as an ideal a “short-term” solution.
Van Veen, who scored 40 goals in 83 appearances for Motherwell, was back in Scotland at the weekend following the birth of his child.
That has only added to speculation that the Gers could move for the Dutchman, especially as Groningen are said to be open to an exit.
Speaking this week, as reported by the Daily Record [16 January, 10:28am], Lukkien is still in the dark over Van Veen’s immediate future.
“We offered him the choice of training with the team, individually one-on-one or with the Under-21s and he chose the latter,” Lukkien said.
“However, he was in Scotland again this weekend – with our permission because we know it’s a difficult situation.
“We don’t know when he will return but there has to be some kind of limit. He knows this and we have made agreements with him.”
Van Veen’s future at Groningen is far from certain, then, but Rangers are running out of time if they have any serious interest in signing him.
On the face of it, signing a player who turns 33 next summer is hardly long-term planning, but Van Veen’s record in Scotland speaks for itself.
As former Scotland international Chris Iwelumo put it during the player’s time at Motherwell, Van Veen is an “outstanding” player [Daily Record].
Iwelumo also talked up the “presence” Van Veen shows in the final third, as well as his “aerial threat”, which is well known to Scottish football fans.
Even accounting for the signing of Fabio Silva, which is only a loan, Philippe Clement will no doubt want a focal point up top.
Cyriel Dessers has not fulfilled the role, and it may well be that Van Veen is seen as someone who can step in, even if for only the time being.
If that is to be the case, Groningen are clearly after a final decision one way or another soon so that a line can be drawn under the matter.
In other Rangers news, a BBC journalist has given his thoughts on another player linked with a move to Ibrox.