As Liverpool prepare to battle it out with Tottenham for Wigan winger Victor Moses, one man who seems destined to leave Anfield at the end of the season is Dirk Kuyt.
The Dutchman, 31, spoke recently of his frustration failing to hold down a regular first-team place under Kenny Dalglish this season and looks set to be one of several players headed for the exit door.
As we told you last week, a return to former club Feyenoord is one option available to the Holland international, as is a move to Italy with Fiorentina believed to another potential suitor.
However, its Bundesliga side Hamburg who have made the first official move with the club’s sporting director Frank Arnesen admitting he wants to sign him at the end of the season.
Hamburg, now managed by former Bayern Munich midfielder Thorsten Fink, have endured a miserable season spent in a relegation battle, and Arnesen is keen to avoid a repeat.
The capture of Kuyt would be the first of many at the Imtech Arena, and Arnesen has already made contact with the player’s agent Rob Janssen to sound him out about the prospect of Kuyt swapping the Premier League for the Bundesliga.
“Kuyt is still very fit and strong and still has a lot to offer,” said Arnesen. “He is a big-hearted player with a great spirit, and there is no doubt he can give a great deal to whichever club he plays for. He is an excellent team player, very impressive all round, so we will see what happens.”
Kuyt joined Liverpool from Feyenoord in 2006 having finished the 2004-2005 season as the top scorer in the Eredivisie with 29 goals. In his six seasons at Anfield, the Dutchman, still a vital part of Bert Van Marwijk’s Holland side, has chalked up 276 appearances and scored 71 goals.
