Saturday, 23rd November, 2013
FC Groningen have admitted that interest in their 17-year-old starlet Richairo Zivkovic is growing and confirmed they expect the "stands to be full" of scouts from Europe's elite this Sunday when they take on Zwolle in an Eredivisie clash.
Zivkovic is already known to be on the radar at Barcelona and Liverpool, and of late Juventus have been added to that list. Groningen understand that Zivkovic is a wanted man and are under no illusions as to why a clutch of scouts have booked seats at the Euroborg.
"On Sunday the stands will be full again with scouts from European clubs", Groningen director Hans Nijland told the Algemeen Dagblad.
Nijland was also quick to dismiss speculation Juventus have already held talks over Zivkovic, commenting: "We are focusing on us and no club are discussing Zivkovic, we are not secretive about it.
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"But when I see the impressive list of clubs that come to visit, that's incredible. Half of Europe's biggest clubs, they are here in the stands.
"They never say they come to see Zivkovic of course, but they are there."
Groningen though have set their stall out over the 17-year-old forward and want to do their best to keep hold of him for as long as possible, even if Nijland knows they cannot resist the irresistible in terms of offers.
"The position of the club is very simple: Zivkovic has a three-year contract with us. He is a great talent. You can see by just how much interest there is.
"We hope to keep him at FC Groningen, but everyone has a price. You can boldly declare that he be kept under any circumstances, but that is not the real world. I only hope that he plays in a Groningen shirt next year."
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