Burnley have made advances in their pursuit of Feyenoord’s Quilindschy Hartman.
At the weekend, Voetbal International stated Burnley have reached an agreement to sign the left-back for €12m. They also reported he’ll arrive in the UK on Monday and will carry out medical tests on Tuesday.
SoccerNews.nl relay comments from Algemeen Dagblad journalist Mikos Gouka, where he is backing the 23-year-old’s decision to leave Feyenoord for Burnley this summer.
Chelsea showed interest in Hartman in 2024 and this was confirmed by the player himself. The move didn’t materialise because he suffered a serious knee injury in March 2024 and regained full fitness in January.
The Netherlands international has played 12 games for Feyenoord since his recovery. He has a year left on his contract and has already expressed his desire to move to England.
According to Gouka, his impending move to Turf Moor is ‘good for all parties’.
“Van Persie had a chat once and then it was pretty clear. If something nice comes along, I will go. I have a contract for one year and have had a cruciate ligament injury twice. If the Premier League comes along, I have to seize that opportunity. Those were his thoughts,” he said.
Hartman is a product of the Dutch club’s academy and was promoted to the first team in 2022. His decision to not renew his contract and leave the club for Burnley didn’t go down well with a section of the Feyenoord supporters, who have been critical of him.
The AD journalist has now come in support of the Dutchman, who will soon join Burnley if there are no last-minute surprises. He explained why the criticism isn’t justified.
“This boy suddenly wouldn’t be a Feyenoord player. Which is a very difficult concept to define. He has played for Feyenoord his entire life,” Gouka explained.
“This boy chooses for himself and he has every right to do so. I think he is a huge Feyenoord player, he went through the youth academy and has really become a figurehead.
“He has never said: I’m going to sign a new contract and then doesn’t do it. He has always expressed doubts to the outside world. Also consider his situation. Two cruciate ligament injuries, you also have to wonder whether his knee can handle the rhythm later on. He now has the chance to show himself in the Premier League. I think he is making a choice that is quite logical.”