Drenthe attracting Premier League interest
Real Madrid reject Royston Drenthe is attracting interest from Premier League duo Fulham and Stoke, according to reports. The Dutch winger has been told he has no future in Madrid, leaving Tony Pulis and Mark Hughes to start readying their bids.
Drenthe was highly-rated upon arrival in Madrid in 2007, following a string of fine performances in the 2007 European Under-21 Championships which earned him Player of the Tournament. The likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Barcelona circled the player that summer but Real won the chase with an £11.5m deal. However, the Dutchman has failed to nail down a regular slot – largely thanks to the Madrid club’s extraordinary spending since his arrival – and now he seems destined for the exit door. Newly-promoted Hercules are also thought to be interested but Drenthe would prefer a move to England.
Fulham boss Hughes is known to be in the market for fresh attacking talent, as he looks to stamp his mark on his new club. Drenthe provides the kind of unpredictable flair that Fulham amongst their very honest but often unspectacular squad. His pace would also be an excellent addition to their line-up, but whether the club has the funds for such a transfer remains to be seen.
Stoke, meanwhile, do have the funds as Pulis looks to mix up the long-ball, physical approach that has served him so well since his arrival, with one that plays far more fluidly and attractively. Whether Drenthe would usurp fellow left-winger and Stoke mainstay Matthew Etherington from the line-up would be interesting though, but if Stoke hope to push on and challenge for top half finishes on a consistent basis, they will need that kind of strength in depth. Any move would have to be sealed quickly though with the transfer window closing later today.
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