FC Groningen had a very quiet winter transfer period, but it seems to be in for a hot summer. It could be that coach Dick Lukkien will have to replace six or even more players from his regular starting team.
Especially before the winter break, Lukkien’s team, consisting mainly of young players, received plenty of praise for the fresh way of playing and the results achieved with it. Things have now improved somewhat and FC Groningen has dropped to eighth place in the Eredivisie. In addition, leader PSV will visit the Euroborg next Sunday.
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Technical director Mo Allach of FC Groningen apparently had a quiet winter transfer period. Not one player was added to Lukkien’s roster. The club did say goodbye to the already rented striker Kristian Lien, who was sold to the Swedish Djurgardens. Nils Eggens and Noam Emeram, who were hardly mentioned, sought refuge in the Kitchen Champion Division. The duo is loaned out to De Graafschap and FC Emmen respectively.
However, Allach seems to have to work next summer. Of the eleven most chosen players, more than half could leave FC Groningen next summer. An overview of the situation:
Etienne Vaessen
Contract until: 2027
FC Groningen’s first goalkeeper has made no secret of the fact that he wants to make a move next summer. The Suriname international will enter the final year of his contract next summer, and an extension seems out of the question. FC Groningen therefore seems to have to agree to a sale of Vaessen, to prevent him from walking out for free a year later.
Marco Rente
Contract until: 2027
Right back Rente, a natural central defender, will also enter his final year of contract next summer. FC Groningen still has an option to extend his contract for an additional year.
This is Janse
Contract until: 2026
Janse is rented from Ajax this season and will return to Amsterdam next summer, where he will be contracted until mid-2029. A longer stay in the Euroborg does not seem to be an option for the young Zeelander at the moment.
Thijmen Blokzijl
Contract until: 2027
Earlier this season, FC Groningen raised the option to extend Blokzijl’s contract for an additional season. The club thus prevents him from walking out for free next summer. In a few months it will probably be a matter of extending or being sold for Blokzijl.
Marvin Peersman
Contract until: 2026
The Belgian veteran Peersman (34) has an expiring contract. As far as is known, FC Groningen has not yet made any attempts to extend his contract, which means that the Belgian seems to be busy with his last months in the Euroborg.
Stije Resink
Contract until: 2028
Resink was one of the most talked about players of the last transfer period. The 22-year-old captain of FC Groningen was linked to Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV and Benfica registered for him in the Euroborg. FC Groningen refused to cooperate to an interim departure, but next summer Resink is reportedly by a clause in his contract for a ‘cheap price’ of around six million euros. The question does not seem to be whether that will happen, but mainly which club will ultimately strike.
Tika de Jonge
Contract until: 2028
The currently injured De Jonge made his final breakthrough at FC Groningen this season and is still on contract until mid-2028. The midfielder therefore seems to ‘just’ stay in the Euroborg.
Jorg Schreuders
Contract until: 2027
In principle the same applies to Schreuders as to Blokzijl. The self-trained midfielder will enter his final year of contract next summer and should therefore either be extended or sold.
Younes Taha
Contract until: 2026
The technician Taha is rented by FC Groningen from FC Twente this season. No option to purchase has been agreed, but shares have been agreed The Pride of the North share in the proceeds if Taha is sold by the Tukkers in the future.
Thom van Bergen
Contract until: 2028
Jong Oranje-international Van Bergen extended his contract just before Christmas at FC Groningen until mid-2028. However, given his development, it is not inconceivable that a larger club will sign up for him in Groningen next summer. The FC does have a good negotiating position due to its ongoing commitment.
Brynjólfur Willumsson
Contract until: 2027
First striker Willumsson is also contracted until mid-2027, but FC Groningen, just like with Rente, has an option to sign him for an extra year. Started this season very strongly, with five goals in the first four rounds of the Eredivisie. Willumsson then got injured and was accurate only once in fourteen games after his return. It is therefore not clear whether FC Groningen will want to exercise the option.
The rest of the selection
The following talents are already waiting for a number of positions at FC Groningen. The possible departure of Vaessen can possibly be accommodated with the talented Slovenian Lovro Stubljarwhich was already acquired from the Italian Empoli last summer. Reserve goalkeeper Jurjus Hidde is out of contract and will probably only want to sign again if he has a prospect of a position as first goalkeeper.
In defense, the impending departure of Janse and possibly also Blokzijl can be (partly) overcome by transferring talents such as Sven Bouland in Elvis van der Laan. Lukkien has Lukkien behind the backs Rente and Peersman Tyrique Mercera in Wouter Prins still available.
PSV mercenary goes into midfield Tygo Land back to Eindhoven next summer. Another mercenary, the Norwegian Travis Hernescould be taken over permanently from Newcastle United, but has not played much so far. David van der Werffwhich debuted this season, is still fixed until 2029 and therefore seems likely to stay for a while. The role of Mats Seuntjenswho has an expiring contract, seems to have played out again.
In the front, Allah will try to Rui Mendeswhich is still fixed until mid-2027. The Portuguese, who worked successfully with Lukkien at FC Emmen, does not excel in the Euroborg. This also applies to the second striker for the time being Oskar Zawadawho came over from RKC Waalwijk last summer but has had little impact. However, the Pole is fixed until mid-2028. Talent Mark Hoekstrathe son of former Dutch international Peter, is still on contract until 2028.
