Pascal Struijk tipped for Premier League transfer exit from Leeds United for ‘serious’ Ronald Koeman consideration
Pascal Struijk has been tipped to require a transfer to a club in the Premier League to get into the frame for the Netherlands national team as selection from Leeds United “does not seem to be possible”, according to Voetbal Zone.
The Dutch outlet said on their website on 23 November that the Whites defender, who holds a Belgian passport but has previously expressed his intention to pursue his international career with the nation he has been capped at under-17 level, would become a “serious option” in the future for Ronald Koeman if he leaves in the summer.
Struijk has so far been a key part of Daniel Farke’s defence this season alongside Joe Rodon in the centre, and was an ever present prior to hernia surgery that forced him to miss the win over Plymouth Argyle before the international break.
The 24-year-old has been linked to a possible Tottenham move in light of their issues at the position, and with Welshman Rodon confirmed by Farke to be at Elland Road for the duration of the campaign.
Two birds with one stone
It has been variously reported for the players who left Leeds United in the summer that their international places were part of the decision with a Euros coming up at the end of the year.
So it is a valid concern for some that playing in the second tier damages their prospects for their countries, although it isn’t impossible to still get picked outside the top flight.
Perhaps for Struijk it would necessarily be harder since he doesn’t already have a history of involvement so if the Whites fail to get promoted it is likely that he and a number of other players who have thrived this season might be minded to look for moves.
But on current form there seems to be little reason why he couldn’t remain at Leeds, get back into the Premier League under Farke, and play his way into Koeman’s thoughts where he is.
He might need Rodon to be kept at the club permanently, or at least a viable replacement signed, in order to maintain the form that he has shown this season after a couple of much shakier campaigns.
But if the charge up the table continues and Farke can get the side up automatically it would likely mean that unless a club which is established beyond doubt in the top flight comes in for him next summer he should be under consideration for a senior cap as a Whites player.
In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope says the club has a claim against Everton based on a pair of multi-million pound transfers.