Siem De Jong’s agent has admitted that the Dutchman is determined to become a success at Newcastle United and, despite having ‘other options’ on the table, will aim to take the big chance handed to him by Rafa Benitez over pre-season.
After a loan-spell with PSV last season, the 28-year-old ‘no.10’ has returned to Tyneside this summer and starred in our 2-1 win at Hearts on Friday night, providing some flashes of brilliance and an impressive assist for Dwight Gayle’s opener.
Speaking to Voetbal International, De Jong’s and agent Louis Laros had the following to say when asked where Siem’s future lies:
“We do not know,”
“The preparation has just started and it is still new round, new opportunities. Siem has never made a secret of it his intention to still succeed at Newcastle.”
“Newcastle have not bought a lot of new players, so I expect that there still will be some players in the near future.
“The club is always working. Then we must wait and see if there is any prospect for Siem. He has never really worked under Benitez, so he must now try to take his chance.”
Laros does admit that he must take all options into account, suggesting he and his client are considering all the options should he be told he does not have a future under Rafa Benitez:
“We obviously take account of that scenario and therefore continuously collect options,”
“Those options are there now, and we regularly inform Siem. But any transfer is not easy. You have to deal with his salary, the asking price and the prospect of another club.”
Laros then revealed that any talk of De Jong being offered to PSV was ‘absolute nonsense’, claiming his client was solely focused on becoming a success at his current club, Newcastle United.
? That through-ball from @siemdejong… and @dwightgayle's finish isn't bad either! Watch the full 90 here.
? https://t.co/OwIx56zcAm #NUFC pic.twitter.com/uZBvBgMkpH
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) July 15, 2017
Here’s hoping Siem can keep fit and continue to impress the gaffer in this week’s training camp away in Ireland.