Sevilla will do the business of the century with Luuk de Jong

Many journalists are still laughing at Joan Laporta’s anecdote shortly after the transfer window closed. At a meeting between the media and the sports leadership, the president shouted, “We have the Haaland tulip.” Luuk de Jong arrived in Barcelona almost by accident. Barça had agreed to the transfer of João Félix, but at the last minute the mattresses fell behind. And on the last day of the market, Ronald Koeman, then a coach, thought of his compatriot. A player who did not count for Sevilla. What’s more, they were willing to sell it at any cost to get rid of it. Football stuff, what was a nut has become a gold bar. And Sánchez Pizjuán is rubbing his hands because they know that this summer they will be able to draw.

Xavi, key in the progression of Luuk de Jong

It took Luuk de Jong a few months to adapt to Barça. Time to acclimatize and also a change of coach that has gone like a ring on his finger. Because with Koeman, with that predictable game and few ideas, he could hardly drop balls: either they arrived in poor condition or he was overtaken by rival defenses. With Xavi, on the other hand, football has more nuances and the opposing team’s central defenders don’t have enough of the old recipe. A dynamic, overflowing game that has given extra life to the Dutchman. With Koeman he played 399 minutes and only scored one goal. He has played 453 with Xavi and already has six. And, even more importantly, he has scored goals that give points: the victory in Mallorca (0-1), the tie in the field of Espanyol (2-2) and the victory in the City of Valencia (2-3).

“We are very happy. We will see what happens in the summer. Whether or not he stays will depend on the chances we have to sign,” they point out in the locker room. It’s not the first time words of praise have been heard. Xavi has not spared positive comments towards Luuk de Jong, whom he has repeatedly described as an “example”, both in the press rooms and in talks with the players. “It’s another letter we have. I wouldn’t say he’s a supporting actor. He’s aware of his qualities, especially in the last few minutes. He’s given us a lot of points,” the coach said after the game against Levante. The Dutchman had not played a leading role in the last four league games until Sunday. He had played a testimonial role against Athletic Club (4 minutes), Valencia (8) and Espanyol (2). In the Levante field he played 6. And, in these twenty short minutes in total, Luuk de Jong has scored three goals (Athletic, Espanyol and Levante).

Luuk de Jong would like to stay in the locker room. He is a professional who does not fail in any training, who is punctual in his obligations and disciplined with team dynamics. Someone who accepts his role without protest and who always plays to the best of his ability, both football and motivation. In the Camp Nou offices, on the other hand, they look at the situation more coldly. When the transfer was made, on the last day of the market, no purchase figures from Barça were included. In the statement, the entity spoke of a “free purchase option.” A concept that in Seville, according to the media Sports stadium, means a right of first refusal. On the other hand, Barça denies the information: “There is nothing marked, it is a pure and simple transfer until the end of the season”. So in the summer he goes back to the starting box. If Barça want him, he will have to negotiate. The difference is that the player has been revalued. Monchi, Sevilla’s technical secretary, knows this and intends to raise the bar a lot. “If that’s the case, there’s no going to be crazy about hiring him,” they told Barça.

Sevilla will sell Luuk de Jong this summer

At 31, Luuk de Jong has one year left on his contract with Sevilla. At Pizjuán, then, they know they have the last chance to sell it. According to Transfermarkt, in January it had a market value of 4 million. The Andalusian media say that the price has multiplied and that Monchi has already received calls from some clubs to hire him. “It’s a hard bone to gnaw on. Monchi doesn’t get his hair done easily,” said the sports director.

Gone is the month of January, when Barça and Sevilla had agreed on the transfer of Luuk de Jong to Cádiz to release a card to the Catalan squad. The Dutchman did not want to leave. His sixth sense told him that sooner or later he could have a chance at the Camp Nou. And he didn’t fail: he ended up being a lifeguard at Barça. And now he will be a player to whom Sevilla will sell to the highest bidder. Soccer stuff.