Leeds’ mission to strengthen the club’s glowing academy has got a little bit easier, as Eindhoven Dagblad have reported the price we must pay for Justin Lonwijk.
The Netherlands Under 19 international was only identified as a possible Whites target by TuttoMercatoWEB on Tuesday, March 19, when the Italian publication suggested that Marcelo Bielsa has been studying the 19-year-old’s portfolio.
They also proposed that Eintracht Frankfurt have already approached the Tilburg-born prospect, while AS Roma are in the initial phase of their scouting mission.
These claims have now been backed up by ED, who suggest the Serie A side are one of a number of parties interested in hijacking PSV Eindhoven’s negotiations with Lonwijk over a new contract.
It is here where they also name the price any side must pay for the 9-cap youth international, as while his current deal expiring in the summer means he can technically be signed for free, FIFA rules dictate that €400,000 (£345k) must be paid in compensation for his development.
Lonwijk is understood to now want to take his time to mull over the next step in his career, as he is well aware that whichever route he takes could have severe implications on the rest of his life.
Whoever wins the race will be gaining the services of a promising young individual, who has scored three goals in nine games this season having returned from a serious injury.