Transfer Spotlight: The Dutch midfield starlet on Man United’s radar
Louis van Gaal has already taken Daley Blind to Manchester United following his arrival in July, but there could soon be another Dutch Daley heading to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are being linked with a move for Heerenveen starlet Daley Sinkgraven, so talkSPORT has taken a look at the youngster’s credentials…
Name: Daley Sinkgraven
Date of birth: 4 July, 1995
Birthplace: Assen, Netherlands
Club: Heerenveen
Position: Central midfielder
International appearances: Two (Netherlands Under-21s)
What’s the latest?
Manchester United, along with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all hot on the trail of Eredivisie prospect Sinkgraven, who is continuing to impress at Heerenveen after breaking into their first-team last season. Van Gaal has ordered comprehensive scouting reports on the player, with the Red Devils thought to be keen on doing a deal for the midfielder in January, although he could be loaned back to Heerenveen until the end of the campaign.
Did you know?
1) Sinkgraven is the son of former Groningen and Zwolle star Harry, who spent time coaching the Heerenveen women’s team.
2) The 19-year-old came through the youth ranks in the north of the Netherlands and has played for the national team’s Under-17s, Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-21s, so far.
3) Sinkgraven, who has played all across the midfield for Heerenveen, made his breakthrough into the first-team last season, making 17 appearances and starting five times. He began out on the wing but was soon being utilised through the middle at the Abe Lenstra Stadium.
4) His impressive cameo performances brought interest during the summer from fellow Eredivisie side Ajax, as well as Barcelona, who Sinkgraven dreams of joining later on in his career.
5) This campaign, the Netherlands Under-21 international has already played more minutes than he did last time out and has scored match-winning goals against PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar as interest in his talent grows further.
They say:
"Please let him stay with us for a few years. Even if he is sold, we will demand a top price for him. Daley has incredible talent.” (Heerenveen manager Dwight Lodeweges)
He says:
“Youth coaches sometimes tell me I can become a great, but that it would require me to get everything out of my career. To now say that I am going to play for Barcelona one day, well, I can’t of course. I have to give 100% in each and every training session and be the best. You can’t go from Heerenveen to Barcelona without taking a stepping stone.” (Sinkgraven in an interview with RTV Drenthe)
Video Evidence: