Saturday, 7th July, 2012
Luuk de Jong has blasted FC Twente for the amount of money they are demanding to allow him to leave this summer.
The 21-year-old striker has been chased by both Newcastle United and Borussia Monchengladbach in recent weeks, with the latter believed to be De Jong’s preferred destination.
Alan Pardew’s Magpies made the first move, submitting a series of bids to the Tukkers, which culminated in the English Premier League side sending a delegation to Holland, to eventually make their highest offer, some €14M.
And much to the surprise of De Jong’s camp, Twente knocked back this sum.
Next to arrive at the Tukkers for negotiations were Borussia Monchengladbach, who felt they had an ace to play in the form of Swedish left back Oscar Wendt, who is wanted by Twente.
But they too have had little success – and Twente coach Steve McClaren declared only an "absurd" offer could tempt the Eredivisie team into selling; a position which later had flesh put on the bones, with a figure of €20M slapped on the striker, by club chairman Joop Munsterman.
De Jong however cannot believe the price tag which has been placed on his head, and has now spoken out.
"I fell off my chair when I heard Joop Munsterman", the striker told De Telegraaf.
"That amount is in complete contradiction with the conversation that took place this week between Twente and Borussia Monchengladbach, and with my father George and agent Louis Laros", he added.
And De Jong insists he was even willing to drop his entitlement to 20% of the fee.
"I was amazed to hear this", said the 21-year-old.
"FC Twente, my agent Louis Laros and Borussia Monchengladbach indicated that a transfer fee of €12M plus €2M in bonuses, would do, if I agreed with FC Twente to drop my contracted right to 20% of the transfer fee.
"I have already indicated that I will drop my claim to 20% of the transfer fee if a move to Borussia Monchengladbach is possible. I am not concerned just about the money.
"But for FC Twente, this is no longer sufficient for them to agree to a transfer."
De Jong then put the boot into Twente even further, with comments which slam the club’s approach to player transfers.
"The president says all players get a fair chance to take a step up to a higher level, but unfortunately the reality is different.
"I have heard other players say that the management at FC Twente does not negotiate properly. I could not believe it, because I thought they are a decent club with which to play, but unfortunately I am experiencing that.
"Munsterman said recently that he has read everything [about interest in me], but has not heard it, but the reality is that in recent months clubs from five countries were interested, and three went straight to FC Twente – and he knows it."
The transfer saga shows no sign of dying, with Bayer Leverkusen the latest side to register an interest.
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