Sano and Kostic both set for medicals Wednesday
Kodai Sano is on his way. PSV and NEC have a verbal agreement for the Japanese midfielder, and he will arrive in Eindhoven for his medical today alongside Kostic (4) (5). The double swoop is moving fast.
Sano refused to play for NEC, Schreuder sent him out of the hotel
Sano told NEC coach Dick Schreuder on matchday he could not play. Schreuder then kicked him out of the players' hotel. "Got an app from Sano this morning. He didn't feel able to play," Schreuder said (14). The midfielder knew a PSV deal was close and did not want to risk it. NEC drew 0–0 with Olympiakos in the Champions League third qualifying round without him, Jamiro Monteiro stepping in (11) (15).
'Next week we're friends again'
Schreuder is not holding a grudge. "Next week we're friends again," the NEC coach said (7). NEC captain Tjaronn Chery backed Sano too: "I completely understand the guy. He's ready for a step" (16).
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Some fans wonder: did PSV pick the right NEC midfielder?
Darko Nejasmic ran the show for NEC against Olympiakos in Sano's absence. Viewers took notice. "Did PSV get the right player?" was the question bouncing around after his performance (8) (10).
Noah Fernandez, 18, gets his chance under Bosz
Peter Bosz is handing a first-team spot to Noah Fernandez. The 18-year-old Belgian youth product has earned the manager's trust and will feature this season (1).
Bouhoudane sold to Cambuur, with a buy-back clause
Sami Bouhoudane is gone. The 18-year-old striker joins SC Cambuur for a fee between €300,000 and €400,000, but PSV have inserted a buy-back clause in the deal, keeping the door open for a return (9) (12) (13).
Verweij: Geertruida would be a dream signing
Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf believes Lutsharel Geertruida to PSV would transform your defence. He called it "a logical step" and said the RB Leipzig man "makes you much stronger" (10) (17). The deal remains complicated given the reported fee and wages.
AZ beat PSV, then moved to lock down Goes and Koopmeiners
AZ used their win over PSV as a springboard. The club is now close to extending contracts for Wouter Goes and Peer Koopmeiners. Technical director Leeroy Echteld: "We assume they'll stay" (7) (9).
Fan reactions
The mood is shifting from anxious to quietly optimistic. Sano's imminent arrival and Kostic joining alongside him has fans already sketching out starting lineups and debating what a Geertruida-shaped defence would look like. The consensus: two signings done, now go get a right winger and another centre-back. Read the full thread.
