According to journalist William Pomp for Dagblad Noorden, Derby County’s Mike te Wierik is desperate to return to his native Holland with former club FC Groningen.
The Dutch defender joined the Rams from Groningen on a free transfer in the summer.
Te Wierik arrived at Pride Park with a decent reputation. He was captain of a Groningen side which boasted one of the best defensive records in the Eredivisie last season.
The 28-year-old, however, has struggled to get going at Derby and the departure of Dutch manager Phillip Cocu has seen him fall completely out of favour.
Writing in his column for Dagblad Noorden, William Pomp claims Te Wierik yearns for his former life at Groningen and with hindsight he would never have made the move.
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According to a report by Tubantia this past week, Groningen are one of three Dutch clubs eyeing a deal for Te Wierik in the upcoming transfer window.
“It would be great if he had a new club in January. That can be on a rental basis, but also fixed. We do not know yet. First we still have to get started with Derby.”
His agent told the editorial how he would welcome an exit from Derby.
Te Wierik signed a three-year contract with the Rams.
The 28-year-old is likely on higher wages than before, perhaps making any permanent deal back to Groningen so soon a difficult deal to complete. An immediate loan may be more likely.
Te Wierik hasn’t featured for Derby since the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth in October.
Under interim manager Wayne Rooney, the defence has vastly improved keeping four straight clean sheets while going on a six-game unbeaten run.
Te Wierik’s spell at Derby has shades of Raul Albentosa about it. Clearly there is a good player there, but the Championship is a tough league to adapt to.
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