Eredivisie round-up - hot sports news

PSV win, Twente held as Ajax boost title hopes

PSV Eindhoven opened up a two-point gap over Eredivisie champions FC Twente as Ajax narrowly overcame struggling VVV Venlo.

Vitesse Arnhem enjoyed a much-needed three points at home to De Graafschap, but Feyenoord let a winning position slip in the final 10 minutes.

Leaders PSV had to overcome stubborn resistance from 10-man NAC Breda before running out 4-1 victors at Philips Stadion.

NAC had Nemanja Gudelj sent off for two yellow cards inside the opening 15 minutes and PSV took advantage to go in front through Balazs Dzsudzsak 10 minutes later.

The visitors stunned PSV by equalising on 64 minutes through Anthony Lurling only for the home side to regain the initiative two minutes later thanks to Jeremain Lens' goal.

Ola Toivonen added a third on 73 minutes and Francisco Rodriguez put the game firmly beyond NAC with the fourth goal eight minutes from time.

Twente were forced to come from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at home in a feisty encounter with mid-table NEC Nijmegen.

Niki Zimling gave NEC a seventh minute lead before Emir Bajrami levelled on 27 minutes in a match which saw nine players booked.

Ajax ensured they remain firmly in the title race after battling to a 1-0 home success over second-bottom VVV.

Mounir El Hamdaoui scored the only goal of the game after 11 minutes, while VVV had Ken Leemans sent off for a second bookable offence on 74 minutes.

Feyenoord blew a golden chance to pull clear of relegation trouble after letting a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 draw away to high-flying ADO Den Haag.

The visitors appeared to be on course for a welcome three points after Luc Castaignos' first-half brace had Feyenoord in command with 10 minutes left to play.

However, Den Haag pulled a goal back through substitute Charlton Vicento and top scorer Dmitri Bulykin grabbed the equaliser five minutes from time.

Vitesse are now three points clear of the bottom three after a 2-0 win at home to De Graafschap which ensures their opponents are looking nervously over their shoulder at the relegation places.

Substitute Bony Wilfried belatedly made the breakthrough for Vitesse on 72 minutes and on-loan Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic notched the second with six minutes to go.

Been - Larsen must improve

Feyenoord boss demands improvement from Danish striker

Mario Been wants more from new loan signing Soren Larsen as Feyenoord bid to avoid the Eredivisie drop this season.

Striker Larsen arrived in Rotterdam on loan from Ligue 1 club Toulouse during last month's transfer window as part of manager Been's plan to strengthen his floundering squad.

The Denmark international made his debut in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Vitesse but failed to impress Been, and the boss wants improvement from the 6ft 4in striker, starting with Saturday's home game against fellow strugglers Heracles Almelo.

Been said: "I put him in in the hope of getting something extra but it did not come.

"With his size I expected Soren to win plenty of duels. I expect more from him but then so does he.

"He lacks rhythm and we will work with him so he can catch up."

Financially-stricken Feyenoord currently sit just one place and two points outside the drop zone in 15th, with speculation mounting they could suffer a surprise relegation this season.

Janssen agrees Twente deal

Roda midfielder to link up with Dutch giants in summer

Midfielder Willem Janssen will complete a move to FC Twente from Roda JC in the summer, the Eredivisie club have confirmed.

The 24-year-old has agreed a four-year deal with the defending champions which will keep him in Enschede until 2015 following months of speculation over his future.

Janssen, who arrived at Roda in the summer of 2007 from VVV Venlo, has made 108 appearances in four seasons with the Kerkrade club, scoring 20 goals.

He told FC Twente's official website: "I see this transfer as a good step in my career.

"Two years ago I was asked which club I wanted to go to for my development and I said FC Twente. It's nice that this is going to happen."
Replacement

Roda have already moved to replace Janssen, announcing they will sign 22-year-old midfielder Donald Mitchell from Ajax on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Mitchell, a youth product at the Amsterdam club, has been prevented from nailing down a place in the first team by a niggling knee injury.

After being sent out on loan to Willem II this season, Mitchell has made the decision to leave Ajax at the end of his contract in hopes of finding regular football.

He said on Roda's official website: "I am mentally stronger after all this and when the injury was over and I was out on loan at Willem II, I made the decision to leave."

Mitchell, who has made 14 appearances for struggling Willem this season, will join Roda on a three-year deal in the summer.

Cruyff agrees Ajax return

Former Holland ace takes advisory role in Amsterdam

Johan Cruyff has returned to Ajax in an advisory role after agreeing to become a member of one of three 'sounding board groups'.

The former Holland playmaker's willingness to advise on technical issues was confirmed on Thursday night following a meeting between general manager Rik van den Boog, Ajax's board of directors and Cruyff.

The remaining two sounding boards will focus on financial and association issues.

Ajax also announced further discussions would be held to determine whether Cruyff's position will be expanded.

Cruyff helped Ajax to eight Eredivisie titles and three European Cups as a player during two stints with the Dutch giants.

He also coached the Amsterdam club to the 1987 European Cup Winners' Cup crown.

The 63-year-old is equally respected at Barcelona, where he is credited with implementing the club's current pass-and-move style of play.

As a player at the Catalan club, he won the 1974 Primera Liga crown and, as coach, led them to four Spanish titles and their first European Cup.

Anita ready to fight for spot

Out-of-favour midfielder focused on reclaiming place at Ajax

Ajax defensive midfielder Vurnon Anita is determined to reclaim his spot in manager Frank de Boer's first team.

After featuring heavily for the Dutch giants this season, the 21-year-old was dropped to the bench for last weekend's 2-0 win over De Graafschap.

But Anita, a youth product at Ajax, is fully focused on winning back a place in the side by proving his worth to De Boer.

"It's up to me to change the coach's mind," he said. "I know myself what I can do and I know what I need to do to get my place back.

"If I can play well then it will come."

Ajax, currently third in the Eredivisie, will look to keep their title bid on course this weekend when they travel to Kerkrade to face Roda JC.

Eriksen cools Liverpool link

Starlet happy to stay at Ajax

Denmark sensation Christian Eriksen has played down talk linking him with a possible move to Liverpool.

Ajax ace Eriksen, who impressed during Denmark's 2-1 defeat to England in midweek, is being chased by a host of Europe's top clubs.

Liverpool are thought to be ready to step up their interest in after Reds assistant manager Sammy Lee was spotted in Copenhagen casting an eye over the midfielder.

Eriksen is aware of the speculation, but he insists he plans to stay at Ajax until the end of his contract in 2014.

"Every time Ajax play, there are clubs watching me. That's just the way it is in Ajax," said Eriksen.

"So yes, Liverpool have probably seen me but I am not spending time wondering about it. I think I'm going to play in Ajax until my contract expires.

"There are a lot of young players, who are busy looking at other clubs but that's not the way I think.

"There are still lots for me to learn and improve and I can do that in Ajax, which is one of the best clubs in the world in developing talent.

"When it comes to that, I can't be at a better place."
Walcott tip

Theo Walcott has advised Arsenal to make a move Eriksen after being impressed by his performance at the Parken Stadium.

Gunners winger Walcott came up against Eriksen on Wednesday night and he feels the playmaker would be ideal for Arsenal.

"He has a good touch. You can see he is technically gifted, very comfortable and doesn't lose the ball that often," Walcott is quoted as saying in the Daily Star.

"As for him coming to Arsenal, it's a question to ask the boss - but he would be a great addition

Dutch Eredivisie Ranking Table

Suarez talks continue

But de Boer remains hopeful striker will stay

Liverpool and Ajax are continuing talks over Luis Suarez, but as yet a deal is still far from being done.

As Ajax sealed a 4-1 Dutch Cup victory over NAC Breda on Thursday evening the club's hierarchy were continuing to meet with their counterparts from Merseyside.

But after another round of discussions the two club appear no nearer to reaching a deal for the Uruguay international striker.

Ajax are reported to have dropped their price to around €25million, but Liverpool still look a long way from that mark with English reports claiming their latest offer was €20million.
Heart

Speaking after the game, Ajax coach Frank de Boer made a plea over his star striker.

Suarez is now eligible to play following his lengthy suspension for biting an opponent, and de Boer is hopeful of using him this weekend when they again come up against NAC.

"From the bottom of my heart, I hope on Sunday for our next match with NAC that I can call on him," de Boer told Dutch television.

"Liverpool know what they have to pay, if they do it by the weekend then we will have time to take action."

Van der Wiel could still move

Highly-rated defender may be free to leave if Suarez stays put

The agent of Ajax defender Gregory van der Wiel admits the future of his client remains unclear.

The Dutchman is hot property at the moment, with Manchester United, Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all reported to be keen.

A switch away from his homeland is by no means guaranteed, though, with numerous other factors having to be taken into consideration.

With the 22-year-old locked into a long-term contract at Ajax, the Eredivisie giants will ultimately make any final decision.

At present they are reluctant to let him leave, as they are in danger of losing all of their prized assets in the space of one window.

Urby Emanuelson has already joined AC Milan, while Luis Suarez continues to be linked with a switch to Liverpool.
Speculation

The Reds' pursuit of Suarez could hold the key to any move for Van der Wiel, with his representative admitting that something could be done if the Ajax skipper stays put.

"Anything can happen at the moment." Hakim Slimani told Sport.co.uk.

"I think if one of the clubs want him, he would have to think about it. The main thing is that Ajax will have to make a decision about that.

"But at the moment nothing is concrete, there is no offer on the table. He still has a contract for five years, so it all depends on Ajax and whether they are willing to let him go, and whether Luis Suarez joins Liverpool.

"Then it is up to the player and whether he wants to leave. So you never know, but we will see. But this is all speculation, I have not had any calls."

Meanwhile, as they continue to track Van der Wiel, it is understood that Manchester City are preparing to hijack Chelsea's efforts to land David Luiz.

Carlo Ancelotti has been chasing the Brazilian defender for much of the winter window, but has so far refused to meet Benfica's demands.

That could open the door to City, with money no issue to the club's ambitious owners.

Rennes wrap up Verhoek raid

French title chasers land promising Dutch striker

Dutch striker John Verhoek has left his homeland and signed for Ligue 1 high-fliers Rennes.

The 21-year-old, who is reported to have cost €500,000 euros [£432,000], has penned a four-and-a-half-year contract with his new employers.

He took part in his first training session in France on Wednesday, allowing him to acquaint himself with his team-mates.

Rennes have high hopes for Verhoek, with the youngster having plundered 10 goals in 17 games for Den Bosch this term.

Patience
Coach Pierre Dreossi has called on the club's supporters to give his latest recruit time to settle, though, with it important that expectations do not become unrealistic.

He told the club's official website: "I ask for a little patience with him because there is a big difference between the Dutch second division and Ligue 1.

"It's a gamble for the future. He is not there to replace Asamoah Gyan [who moved to Sunderland last August].

"He is an unknown player but we know his potential. With a little time, he can become a good player at Stade Rennais."

Ajax set Suarez deadline

Reds have until the weekend to snap up hot-shot striker

Ajax have informed Liverpool that they have until Saturday to push through any deal for Luis Suarez.

The Reds have already seen a £12.8million bid for the Uruguayan striker knocked back, with the asking price reported to be set at some £21million.

Liverpool remain keen on landing the prolific frontman, but have stalled in presenting a package acceptable to Ajax.

The Dutch giants are now growing impatient, frustrated that the future of their talismanic captain remains up in the air.

Standing ground
They want the situation to be resolved one way or another by the weekend, and have told Liverpool that the door will be closed on them if no agreement is in place by then.

"We don't want to lose him," said Ajax boss Frank de Boer.

"Liverpool know what they have to pay and we are sticking to our guns.

"We want to know by 29th January, after that nothing more will happen."