Friday, 22nd November, 2013
Eredivisie side Feyenoord have been overwhelmed by requests to buy former loanee John Guidetti from Manchester City, but insist "crowd-funding" from fans is not the way to do go about achieving it.
Guidetti became a hero for Feyenoord fans in his loan spell in 2011/12 as he racked up 23 goals in 20 games, including three hat-tricks in the Eredivisie.
He is contracted at Manchester City, but has little chance of breaking into the first team on the face of it. Feyenoord fans have now taken matters into their own hands.
A website, appropriately called 'GetGuidettiBack', has been set up to collect money to fund his reported €5m tag. However, the club have no plans to deviate from traditional methods.
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"The management of Feyenoord have understanding and sympathy for the crowd-funding action around John Guidetti, but considers this undesirable and unrealistic", a statement read.
"The action to buy the Manchester City striker is still in its infancy. For the supporters who intend to join in it, we would like to let them know that this is not the way Feyenoord will strengthen."
Feyenoord technical director Martin van Geel has already indicated there is a possibility of speaking to Manchester City about Guidetti, who has just one senior appearance for the Citizens.
General manager Eric Gudde would love to see Guidetti back, but he too feels the fans are a little misguided, saying: "We have nothing but praise for the good intentions.
"It shows their love for both Feyenoord and for John. But no matter how well intended, attracting a player through donations from supporters, according to us, is not the way.
"Quite apart from all kinds of legal and fiscal aspects, we want to only pick players in the context of the recovery that a club like this can do on their own."
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