Wednesday, 20th November, 2013
Eredivisie outfit FC Groningen are determined to do everything in their power to keep hold of in-demand starlets Richairo Zivkovic and Filip Kostic, the club's director Hans Nijland has declared.
Kostic operates as a left-sided forward for Groningen and the 21-year-old Serbian has won his share of plaudits so far this season, due to a campaign powered by four goals and four assists in 13 Eredivisie games.
Kostic is under contract until 2015, but Groningen have an option to extend that agreement by a further two years.
A more immediate challenge may present itself with regards to keeping Zivkovic though, who has attracted the eyes of Barcelona and Liverpool, with the former even thinking about a January bid to beat opposition to the 17-year-old forward.
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Nijland though has other ideas.
"Of course boys are in the spotlight as players like Zivkovic and Kostic give the Eredivisie colour", he explained to Voetbal International.
"Yet not a single club have officially contacted FC Groningen. And they really do have to go through us, which they might like.
"We will continue on our path and not just sell players.
"In fact, we will do everything to keep our players that are being followed together.
"Our cash position is fine, we do not need to sell. I do not expect that starting players will leave this winter. For the guys who do not play, it's different, but we want to keep [the squad] together."
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