Kevin van Veen Motherwell 'return' might be priced out by Groningen

Kevin van Veen has potentially been priced out of a return to Motherwell, because Groningen want to sell rather than sending him out on loan.

But the 32-year-old also says he's a "long way" away from leaving the Dutch club, and doesn't want to be considered a "failure".

The Dutch striker became a huge Fir Park hero last season, scoring 29 goals, before heading back to Holland in the summer.

But a bust-up with boss Dick Lukkien saw him sidelined and he was back in Scotland last month as his partner gave birth to their daughter.

Van Veen is back at Groningen and hoping to play in a mid-season friendly against Bochum on Saturday, and while talking to local media, revealed there had been interest from Rangers and several other Scottish clubs.

He said: “Even though I rejected them [Rangers] in the summer there is still interest, but there are more clubs that find a striker who scored 29 goals last season interesting.

“I can contact clubs in the entire Scottish League directly, but they all want to loan me, while FC Groningen prefers to sell.

“It is difficult for many Scottish clubs to come close to what FC Groningen paid for me, in terms of a transfer fee, and that is a problem.

“I thought very carefully about my move and the consequences last summer.

“I don’t want to be a failure.

“In Scotland I’m still a hero, I can’t even go shopping normally.

“I also want to show Groningen who I am.

“If that is ultimately not possible, life goes on.

“If an opportunity comes along that is good for the club and for myself, we have to act.

“But we are still a long way from that.”

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