Calvin Verdonk is expected to play his last match for NEC Nijmegen on Sunday. The 28-year-old is reportedly on his way to Lille, who are paying around three million euros for him.
Although the deal hasnโt been finalised yet, according to sources close to the French club, Lille turned to Verdonk this week. As Sander Janssen of VI reports, โthe offer from France presented NEC with a dilemma, as Verdonk is a key player in Dick Schreuderโs system. The NEC manager uses a back three, with Verdonk as the left-back of the three.โ
Verdonk played on loan at NEC in the 2017/18 season and returned in 2021. A year ago, he extended his contract until the summer of 2028, agreeing with the Nijmegen club that they would consider any offers from abroad.
NEC have now agreed with Lilleโs offer, as transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported Saturday morning. The French club are playing in the Europa League this season against AS Roma and Celta de Vigo, among others.
NEC are letting Verdonk go and have hopes of signing a replacement before the transfer deadline. The Nijmegen side are already short on defenders with Jetro Willems and Bram Nuytinck out injured. Thomas Ouwejan, Philippe Sandler, Brayann Pereira, Yousri Sbai, and newcomer Ahmetcan Kaplan are the remaining options.
GBeNeFNย |ย Max Bradfield
