Feyenoord confirm John Guidetti interest

John Guidetti is a target for Feyenoord. Picture: John Devlin

FEYENOORD have confirmed they are chasing John Guidetti - to partner ex-Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt in a new-look strikeforce next year.

Former Anfield favourite Kuyt is approaching the end of his contract with Turkish outfit Fenerbahce and is looking for a return to his homeland to see out his career.

And Guidetti earned similar cult status at De Kuip after bagging 20 goals in 23 games during a loan spell in the 2011/12 season.

The Rotterdam-based club attempted to bring Guidetti back to the Eredivisie but pulled out of a potential deal due to concerns over his fitness.

The Swedish striker was struck down with a mystery virus towards the end of his loan spell, causing him to lose the feeling in his right leg. It was later diagnosed as an infected nerve.

Guidetti joined Celtic on a season-long loan deal in summer 2014, and scored 11 goals in ten games for Ronny Deila’s side, before failing to score in the next ten matches.

He lost his starting berth to fellow Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths but despite his goalless streak, was linked with French side Marseille in January and has been the subject of interest from Southampton and Inter Milan.

However, Deila has made no secret of his desire to keep Guidetti at Celtic Park, with a fee reportedly agreed with Manchester City as part of the loan deal.

But Feyenoord technical director Martin van Geel - who travelled to Scotland recently - has admitted his visit to Glasgow was to pursue Guidetti as a potential signing.

Van Geel told Dutch TV show De Tafel: “Kuyt and Guidetti are free transfers and therefore very attractive players for Feyenoord.

“Kuyt is absolutely a potential signing and we’re keeping an eye on Guidetti over the coming months.”

Van Geel added: “I did indeed go to Scotland for Guidetti.”

And earlier this month, Guidetti said in an interview with a Netherlands-based TV station: “I want to go back to Feyenoord, and perhaps as soon as possible.”