Luc Castaignos is comparable with Thierry Henry

There’s a battle going on in Rotterdam! Ever since the U17’s played their little tournament, the super scouts of Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim and last but not least Arsenal are lining upto get a signature of Feyenoord talent Luc Castaignos. Not one of those fan-scribbles, but the real deal: under a fat contract.

The Feyenoord dominated Oranje Under 17 might have lost the finals against Germany, but the incredible talents in orange captured the imagination of many.

According to insiders, these clubs are ready to throw millions at the 16 year old striker. The B1 player can pick and chose and never even played football for the big team yet.

Arsenal is currently in Rotterdam with quite a delegation. Arsene Wenger leads the pack in order to convince Castaignos to move to London. The lad has a contract at Feyenoord till 2011.

His manager Arie Treffers: “I’m not surprised. These players don’t come that often. It’s like you’re watching a young Thierry Henry, looking at his build and his style. Luc has a great future ahead of him, but all options are open. Even staying in Rotterdam.”

Castaignos is the son of a French dad and a Cape Verdian mum. The tall striker is quick as lightning, a good header, a fine skill and above all, a goalscoring machine. This season he made the B1 and the A1 teams champions. He also was Oranje’s top goal scorer at the EC, topping it off with a good goal in the finals.

Oranje’s U17 team manager. “Luc has tremendous skills and is a specific goal scorer. He’s an athlete as well, but then again…he still has a lot to learn as well.”

The Schiedam born would love to do that learning in De Kuip. Any club that gets his signature will have to say yes to renting him back to Feyenoord for at least one season. “A wise move,” says Stuivenberg. “To go to London at 16 years of age is a bit much. The money will be attractive, I can see that, but the money will come anyway. I think he’s better served staying at least two years in Rotterdam. It would be great for Dutch football if he could make an impression in the Eredivisie first.”

Still, it’s probably doubtful that the goal scorer will actually join Feyenoord 1. The plan is to promote him to Jean Paul van Gastel’s A youth. He might even train with Feyenoord 1 a couple of times but Feyenoord doesn’t want to rush his development. He only came to the club two years back, after having developed at Excelsior ‘20.

His former Excelsior ‘20 coach Paul Benschop: “Everyone could see how much potential he has. Whenever we conceded a goal, we brought the young Casta in and he’d take care of business. He moved away quite quickly again, such was his talent. And his parents are sensible people. He is a very nice bloke, good upbringing. Stable and a social kid. I’m sure his parents will plan his future with care. They won’t do silly things.”

Team manager Stuivenberg is sceptical. “People talk about the WC 2014 and how that could be Luc’s tournament. It’s a bit too early for those soundbites. Zier Tebbenhof (Feyenoord) and Brutil Hose (Ajax) were also tremendous talents, but when they made their move to the seniors they faded quietly away.”

“The fact that Arsenal and Liverpool are on the doorstep doesn’t say a thing. These clubs hedge their risks and buy several talents. Vincent van den Berg was signed some year back from Heerenveen. That was a big thing. A Heerenveen talent moves to Arsenal. Do you know where he is now? He plays for amateur club Excelsior Maassluis. I hope everyone looks at that side of the coin as well.”