Rangers will be lamenting that Joey Veerman transfer miss as the PSV Eindhoven star is bookmarked for a move to Premier League hustlers Brighton.
The Dutch international midfielder, 23, has been a rip-roaring success with PSV ever since securing a move to the Eredivisie leaders two years ago.
But had Rangers been more ambitious in the summer of 2021 – where the then Heerenveen midfielder was reportedly a Steven Gerrard target – then perhaps we’d be laughing all the way to the bank.
As it transpired Rangers reportedly wouldn’t meet the Dutch club’s transfer demands and it now looks like Joey Veerman’s career is about to take the next step.
At least that’s according to Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink, who has a close relationship with PSV Eindhoven and covers the club extensively.
Joey Veerman to leave PSV in summer?
Speaking on the DoneDeal podcast, Elfrink mused over the potential of Joey Veerman signing a new contract at PSV.
But apparently the midfielder has his eyes on bigger things this summer with the likes of Brighton and West Ham musing over potential €25m (£21.5m) interest.
Everyone knows that Veerman wants to take a step next summer,” said Elfrink. “That’s fine and also part of the phase of his career, he is one of the very best football players in the Eredivisie.
“He can make it a little easier for himself to take that step by not renewing. If he doesn’t extend, he will end up in a slightly different range.
“Then I think you should rate him between €20m-25m euros. If he extends, PSV will be able to ask for more than €30m. That is a bridge too far for many clubs and it may become a bit more difficult to make a transfer.
“He also stands out more and more because of his defensive statistics. That also makes him interesting for a number of English clubs. I understand that clubs like West Ham United and Brighton are in the front row for him. He can also become interesting for those clubs.”
Rangers transfer failings have cost club
A failure to move for the likes of Joey Veerman is one of the reasons why Rangers fans believe Steven Gerrard jumped at the first opportunity with Aston Villa.
The Ibrox side really failed to properly build on the success of 55 and now the club are really back to playing catch up with Old Firm rivals Celtic.
Whilst we’re sure the particulars of any deal were more complicated, if Rangers managed to get this over the line it would’ve been a statement of intent for a squad which badly needed investment.
As it’s transpired, the midfielder is tearing it up with Champions League knockout side PSV Eindhoven and Rangers fans are left thinking what might’ve been with Joey Veerman.
Links to Brighton – who have shown themselves to be amongst football’s shrewdest operators in recent seasons – stand as a testament to his burgeoning potential in the game.
Even if he never signed on the dotted line at Ibrox, Rangers fans are familiar with Joey Veerman for all the wrong reasons after Champions League head-to-heads between the clubs in recent seasons.
That’s even if the midfielder heaped praise on the Ibrox atmosphere.
