Who are ya? Luuk de Jong (Liverpool target)

Liverpool Football Club have been rumoured to have shown interest in the 21-year-old Dutchman from FC Twente, who’s proved to be a handful for defences in the Dutch Eredivise.

Newcastle United, along with a host of other European clubs are interested in signing the young goal machine. However, Liverpool may just pip their opposition in signing De Jong due to the recent slump of Andy Carroll and the eight week ban imposed on star talisman Luis Suarez.

The Dutch international, originally born in Switzerland, has netted 13 goals this season and topped the scoring and assisting charts for his club last season. De Jong scored an incredible overhead kick earlier in the season in the Europa League which further enhanced his growing reputation as one of the finest young forwards in world football.

The youngster would be a vital acquisition for any club in Europe due to his fantastic overall ability. De Jong is able to finish with both feet, rise and place himself in fantastic positions for headers, beat players with his footwork and most importantly, is expertly calm in-front of goal for someone of his age. This players passing is also something which will contribute to the value of de Jong, with his assists as vital and nearly as high as his goal scoring tally.

De Jong began his career at De Graafschap with his brother, now Ajax attacking midfielder Siem de Jong, however, Ajax signed his brother a few years after the pair joined the club. After debuting in the Eredervise for Graafschap and showing great potential, Twente signed De Jong in early 2009. Since joining the club, the cool-headed striker has scored 39 goals in 87 games – not a bad record for a man still only 21. This goal tally has alerted some of the top clubs in Europe.

De Jong also recently broke into the Dutch national team, making six appearances in the last 12 months after a prolific spell with the national under-19s and under 21s. His first national goal came in a European qualifier against Finland in September 2011, a smart finish slotted past the goalkeeper which drew praise from national team coach Bert Van Marwijk.

With Euro 2012 looming, as well as the World cup, Luuk de Jong’s time is now. Securing a move to a top European club could take his game to the next level. His talent and potential is undoubted, now all this young star needs is a chance to prove his nickname provided by the Dutch public, “New Van Persie”.

Liverpool need to secure the services of De Jong early in order to ensure the future of their attack, with Andy Carroll’s future in doubt and Luis Suarez the only recognized striker left, John W. Henry really needs to flash his checkbook for the talented Luuk de Jong if the club wants any chance in securing Champions League football for the future.

De Jong himself also has expressed his desire to move abroad:”Every player has his dreams. Mine is to play in a nice foreign competition one day. And the Premier League is a really nice competition.”

The 6ft 2in striker is believed to be valued at around £10m-£15m.

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Tags: FC Twente, Liverpool, Luuk de Jong