YOUTH
Thom van Bergen's AZ move stalls over €5m price gap
Twenty‑two‑year‑old striker Thom van Bergen says he would like to move to AZ, but if negotiations stall he will remain at FC Groningen, where he has been since 2015 and is under contract until mid‑2028; he scored ten goals and five assists in 36 matches last season.
Negotiations between AZ and FC Groningen have been described as difficult, with the Dutch club reportedly demanding around five million euros for Van Bergen, who is contracted until mid‑2028. The club’s asking price is still far from what AZ is prepared to pay.
AZ view Van Bergen as an attacking midfielder rather than a traditional striker, a contrast to his role at FC Groningen where he operates at the tip of the attack. The Alkmaarders have already submitted multiple offers for the youth exponent.
Van Bergen, a Jong Oranje international, has been with FC Groningen since 2015 and last season contributed ten goals and five assists across 36 appearances. He is not planning to strike to force a transfer.
In the interview, Van Bergen said, “Als het stukloopt, blijf ik bij dit mooie Groningen voetballen. Ik zou de stap wel willen maken,” indicating he will not strike to force a move.
FC Groningen, recent cup winners, have not yet received an offer that meets their valuation, and the precise distance between the clubs on price remains unclear, confirming that talks are not progressing smoothly.
The details of the talks were disclosed in a conversation with , which highlighted the stalled progress.