Birmingham City and Middlesbrough target Sontje Hansen is becoming a ‘disruptive force in the dressing room’ at NEC Nijmegen, with the club told to sell the winger.
Hansen had a successful performance in the Eredivisie last season, scoring ten goals in 32 appearances for NEC. Leeds United looked at the winger last summer as a replacement for Crysencio Summerville, who moved to West Ham United.
Burnley were then said to have conducted negotiations about signing him during the winter transfer window earlier this year. As a result, Hansen has long been on the radar of English clubs, including Birmingham and Middlesbrough, who expressed interest this summer.
Boro even dispatched officials to the Netherlands for discussions earlier this month.
Hansen does not appear to be happy at NEC, and things are not looking good for the winger at the Dutch club under new manager Dick Schreuder.
Game Final result
Feyenoord (H) 1-1
Groningen (H) 6-0
Utrecht (H) 1-2
Ajax (H) 1-2
Ajax (A) 0-3
Heracles (A) 1-2
Who Sontje Hansen scored against last season
He had to be replaced after only half an hour in a friendly against Groningen because, according to Dutch newspaper De Gelderlander, he ‘did the strangest things’ and Schreuder remarked he appeared exhausted.
Such assertions are unlikely to entice clubs interested in signing Hansen this summer, despite the fact that ‘his skill is unquestionable’. The Dutch newspaper, however, suggests that NEC should trade the winger. It’s possible Hansen needs a change of scenery, which Birmingham or Middlesbrough can supply. He has two years remaining on his present deal with NEC, which could provide a fantastic opportunity for the club to collect a significant money from his departure. NEC’s 2-1 friendly victory over Groningen lasted 120 minutes, divided into two 60-minute halves.
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