“AZ Alkmaar Eyes Sam Lammers as Ideal Successor to Vangelis Pavlidis”
When a high-profile player transfers to one of Europe’s major clubs, it sets off a chain reaction of deals, with money trickling down as selling clubs seek replacements.
This was evident when Benfica, a top Portuguese club, announced their new £18 million signing. This move might be the first step in Sam Lammers’ potential departure from Rangers.
If Lammers takes over from a player who shared the Eredivisie Golden Boot last season with 33 goals, he will have big shoes to fill.
Vangelis Pavlidis, one of the most prolific and stylish center-forwards in Dutch football, has finally completed his £18 million move to Lisbon.
Lammers, who could return to the Eredivisie, might replace Pavlidis at AZ Alkmaar. Pavlidis, known for more than just scoring, possesses a balance and elegance reminiscent of Fred Astaire and excels in linking play and holding off defenders.
Rangers fans might not have seen these qualities in Lammers during his brief, unsuccessful stint at Ibrox before his loan to FC Utrecht in January.
Suggestions that AZ have identified Sam Lammers as the ideal successor to Vangelis Pavlidis, as reported by the Scottish Sun, indicate that Lammers is still highly regarded in the Netherlands despite his limited success abroad.
AZ Alkmaar might find a way to cover his wages. Lammers was impressive at Utrecht, scoring 10 goals in 18 matches, compared to just two goals in 31 games for Rangers.
The problem isn’t Lammers’ transfer fee, as Rangers are reportedly willing to sell their £3 million misfit at a loss. The issue is his £20,000-a-week wages. He would need to take a significant pay cut to return to the Eredivisie permanently, or AZ would have to use part of their £18 million windfall to finance his contract, making him their highest-paid player.
Utrecht’s head coach, Ron Jans, hasn’t given up yet, but admits their chances of retaining Lammers are slim. “It is not yet 100 percent (sure that Lammers will not return),” Jans told ESPN in June. “But less than 50 percent.”
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