Rivals ‘can’t afford’ Van Veen move

MOTHERWELL boss Stuart Kettlewell would be ‘amazed’ if any Scottish club could afford to buy Player of the Year contender Kevin van Veen. The 31-year-old Dutchman is open to a summer move after hitting 25 goals this season and being nominated for top player in the PFA Scotland awards. But Kettlewell reckons Van Veen is happy to remain at Fir Park unless both he and the club receive an offer they can’t refuse. ‘I would be amazed if a club in Scotland could come up with the money we would be thinking about for Kevin van Veen,’ said Kettlewell, whose team face St Johnstone in Perth tomorrow. ‘Unless someone was able to put life-changing money in front of Motherwell — and it would have to be (for) both parties — then he will remain a Motherwell player.’ Van Veen, who has a year left on his contract, has spoken previously about a potential move — but Kettlewell claims that has come as no surprise. ‘I am comfortable that I have had so many conversations with Kevin on a personal level, manager to striker,’ he said. ‘The one thing we both agree on is that he is extremely happy here, that the club is really happy with him, the supporters love him and I love working with him on a daily basis. ‘But there is always a cross point where, if someone puts a ridiculous offer in front of you, sometimes the football club have to profit on it.’ Motherwell made a deficit of about £1million last season and this season’s loss is expected to be even higher. Kettlewell said: ‘It’s been a really challenging year for the club financially. ‘We don’t want to get rid of the player but sometimes an offer comes along that you can’t say no to.’