West Ham are believed to be interested in signing PSV striker Luuk de Jong this summer, according to the Express.
The 25-year-old was the second top scorer in the Eredivisie this past season with 26 goals, one less than former AZ Alkmaar striker and international team-mate Vincent Janssen, who turned down West Ham in order to today complete a £18m move to Tottenham.
De Jong’s agent, Louis Laros, has confirmed there is European interest in his client, but PSV are keen on handing him a new contract. His current deal runs until 2019.
“There has always been interest in Luuk,” De Jong’s representative Louis Laros told Dutch outlet Voetbal International.
“And this is no different. Everything is possible but it is not true that we are negotiating.
“The only solid thing we have at the moment is PSV wanting to extend his contract.”
Capped 12 times by the Netherlands national side, De Jong burst onto the scene with FC Twente where his 59 goals and 38 assists in just three years earned him a £10.2m move to Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach.
However, De Jong didn’t quite take-off in German football, scoring just eight goals in 18 months before joining Newcastle on loan for the second half of the 2013/14 season where again he flopped, failing to score in 12 appearances.
That summer he returned to the Eredivisie with PSV in a £4.7m and has rediscovered his early-career form. His 58 goals and 26 assists in 89 appearances over the last two seasons has helped him break back into the national side while also being considered one of the top strikers in the division.
“Thanks to his performances in the Champions League and his goals for the Netherlands, it makes sense that he has come to the attention of clubs abroad,” Laros added.
“[A contract extension] is a possibility, but so far we have not. It is true that Luuk is really enjoying himself at PSV.
“He’s become one of the leaders and figureheads of the club in two years.”
West Ham are believed to be closing in on the signing of AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca in a £25.6m this summer. The two parties are discussing personal terms today and an agreement will hopefully be reached. Should a deal not be met then De Jong could be the Hammers’ next target.
