FC Utrecht manager, Wilco Van Schaik, has confirmed that transfer negotiations have already begun over Norwich and Sunderland target Sebastien Haller.
In a report in the Sunderland Echo, Schaik said several European clubs were in for the 6ft 2in striker after Sunderland backed out of a deal in the summer when Utrecht put a £6million price tag on the Frenchman.
Sunderland scouts watched Haller in action last weekend as he helped his side to an impressive win over Ajax, with further reports suggesting Alex Neil’s Norwich have already made a £7million bid.
“There are indeed clubs from abroad who have officially enquired for Sebsatien Haller, I can be honest about that,” van Schaik told the Dutch press.
“In addition to FC Utrecht, he has also impressed in recent internationals, so we expected it. Sometimes that’s unstoppable.”
“In the summer, there was a lot of interest, but we turned the bids down because they did not meet our expectations in terms of what we had in mind.
“Now we are having talks, which says a lot, I think.
Unsurprisingly, after scoring 21 goals in 29 starts in the league and 7 in 12 appearances for the French Under 21 side, Utrecht are reluctant to sell their prized asset in January.
“Nothing needs to happen right now, we’re in the middle of the season.
“But at FC Utrecht, we are not so arrogant to say ‘never’. There comes a time for a club when you cannot resist.”
It looks like it will require a hefty sum to tempt the Eredivisie club to do business and bring this prolific goal scorer to the Premier League.
