RONALD KOEMAN says Newcastle reject Luuk de Jong can be more dangerous than Neymar following the Dutch striker’s move to cost-cutting Barcelona. De Jong, 31, was officially presented as a Barca player at an empty Nou Camp after his season-long loan switch from Sevilla. It is the latest installment in a summer of change at […]
RONALD KOEMAN says Newcastle reject Luuk de Jong can be more dangerous than Neymar following the Dutch striker’s move to cost-cutting Barcelona.
De Jong, 31, was officially presented as a Barca player at an empty Nou Camp after his season-long loan switch from Sevilla.
It is the latest installment in a summer of change at the Catalan super-club, whose summer player fire-sale included club legend Lionel Messi leaving for PSG as they attempt to tackle a reported £1.15billion of debt.
Brazil star Neymar, 29, bagged a staggering 105 goals in 186 games for Barca before his world-record £198million switch to PSG in 2017.
De Jong made his name with 112 goals in a five-year spell at PSV before a switch to Sevilla in 2019.
But English fans are more likely to remember him from an ill-fated 12-game goalless loan spell with the Magpies in 2014 which ended with his return to Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.
Former Netherlands boss Koeman has previously worked with De Jong at international level and told Dutch sports media outlet NOS he has attributes Neymar is missing.
Koeman said: “With a cross, Luuk is more dangerous than Neymar.
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“Luuk is a different type of attacker than we have and I think every team should have that type. I already indicated that to the club last year.
“I just want to be able to change with my forward players. If the match calls for a type like Luuk, he will play or fill in.”
De Jong moved to Barcelona on deadline day after they let £108m star Antoine Griezmann return to Atletico Madrid on a season’s loan.
The Dutch star will now spend the rest of the season at the Camp Nou as part of a deal which has a clause to make the move permanent.
De Jong spoke at his Barca press conference about his good relationship with new team-mates and compatriots Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong and boss Koeman.
He said: “They gave me a great welcome. They are like a big family. I have a great relationship with Koeman from the Dutch national team so it is fantastic to be here.”
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