Liverpool's Van Dijk heir tipped to secure record transfer

Imre Himmelbauer

• Updated: 10 Feb 2024 14:23 GMT
• 3 min read

Of all the players at Feyenoord, Dávid Hancko is most ready for a step up, according to Karim El Ahmadi.

In the eyes of Dutch commentator Vincent Schildkamp, the defender could even fetch the Rotterdam club around €42 million. On Friday, it became clear that Paris Saint-Germain are following the actions of the Slovakian defender, while Liverpool reportedly attempted a January swoop.

Feyenoord thwarted the departures of Hancko, Mats Wieffer, Quilindschy Hartman and Santiago Giménez during the winter transfer period. On Voetbalpraat, the question was asked which of the four is most ready for the next level.

“Wieffer and Hartman are trying to make the European Championship,” responds former Aston Villa midfielder El Ahmadi, indicating that the two players were wise to stay in Rotterdam. “Hancko has also shown in Europe that he is a really good player. That is a player who could have taken the next step.”

Hancko to depart?

Schildkamp calls the 25-year-old Hancko "the most stable of all," saying: “Hartman is going like clockwork, but there is sometimes a bad match or half. Hancko has been very stable for a long time. But a regular player at Paris Saint-Germain? That is a club that is aiming for the top four in the Champions League. Is that his level?” the ESPN commentator wonders.

Hancko extended his contract at De Kuip on Thursday until 2028 despite his agent announcing last month that he will likely leave Rotterdam in the summer. Indeed, Schildkamp realises that his new deal does not mean that the defender will remain with Feyenoord for years to come.

“Feyenoord did it purely for the money. There will also be a signing fee and a significant salary increase for Hancko. Feyenoord now dare to invest upfront, instead of letting a Premier League club suddenly appear on the doorstep. Who knows, maybe a big club will pay a million or 42 for Hancko.”

This would make him Feyenoord's biggest-ever sale by quite some distance. The record is currently shared by Orkun Kokcu and Luis Sinisterra, who departed the club for €25m each.