Leeds United could face a battle to hold on to Pascal Struijk over the summer after reports linked him to a Dutch side.
The Whites’ vice-captain has been a standout performer in their title bid as he closes in on a second Championship title in his career. He has played 30 times in the second division this season, recording five goals from centre-back including a brace against Sunderland last month.
Feyenoord Enter Battle
Struijk’s performances has earned him admirers across Europe’s top leagues, with Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion both linked to the defender in the past. And according to Dutch outlet Footballtransfers.com, Feyenoord have added themselves to that list of teams.
The 25-year-old is viewed as a replacement to current Feyenoord defender David Hancko, who is on the radar of European giants Atletico Madrid and Juventus, who failed to sign him back in January. Struijk’s contract at Elland Road lasts until the summer of 2027.
The Rotterdam side are currently fourth in the Eredivisie having undergone multiple managerial changes over the past 12 months. They lost title-winning boss Arne Slot to Liverpool over the summer, and replacement Brian Priske was removed from his post. Arsenal and Manchester United legend Robin Van Persie is the current head coach.
Writer’s View
Pascal Struijk was a man in demand over the winter as Tottenham Hotspur faced a defensive crisis and now a team from his homeland have entered the fray with Feyenoord now interested. It would be likely that Spurs leave the battle for the Leeds United man’s signature after signing Kevin Danso in the January window, meaning that if the defender’s priority is European football, then the Rotterdam club can offer it. Leeds should feel confident they can keep Struijk at Elland Road though with their chances of promotion high, and the fact that he is a former Ajax youth academy product, who are Feyenoord’s arch-rivals.
