Volleyball

Captain Trần Thị Thanh Thúy of Việt Nam and VTV Bình Điền Long An has received offers from different international clubs. Photo bongchuyensaigon.online

HÀ NỘI — National top volleyballer Trần Thị Thanh Thúy has received numerous offers to play abroad after her recent outstanding performances for Việt Nam.

The outside hitter is currently playing for Japanese PFU BlueCats with her contract expiring in April.

She will return to her Vietnamese club, VTV Bình Điền Long An, who loaned the star to the Japanese side.

After watching her matches with the national team in various tournaments in 2023 including the FIVB Challenger Cup in France, international clubs have shown interests in signing the national team captain.

According to VTV Bình Điền Long An, clubs from Russia, Turkey, Chinese Taipei and Indonesia are eyeing the 1.93m player. And if Thúy agreed, she would be allowed to move.

"We always give the most favourable conditions for athletes to compete abroad, compete and improve their quality based on the athlete's wishes," Nguyễn Trịnh Anh Phúc, an official of VTV Bình Điền Long An, said.

"We will wait for Thúy to return home, have a meeting between her, her family and the coaching staff to listen to the thoughts and wishes of the individual athlete before officially making a decision."

Trần Thị Thanh Thúy celebrates with teammates of PFU BlueCats in Japan. Her contract will end in April and Thúy will consider her next move abroad. Photo of FC Trần Thị Thanh Thúy

A scout from Turkey has reportedly held discussions with Bình Điền Long An to make Thúy the first Vietnamese in their country and Europe.

Turkey is the world No 1 women team. They also won the European Championship and the FIVB Volleyball Nations League in 2023 and are unbeaten at the Paris Olympic qualification.

Turkish clubs also appear to be superior to the rest of the world. At the 2023 World Women's Club Championship, the two finalists were Vakifbank SK and Eczacibasi Dynavit of Turkey.

However, VTV Bình Điền Long An officials said there was much work to be done to secure a deal. The biggest problem was that the scout did not disclose information about which club that wanted to sign Thúy, so it was difficult to come to further agreements.

Thúy did receive an offer from Europe in 2022 but she chose to play for PFU BlueCats.

"We must research if the club is really suitable for an Asian athlete or not. In my opinion, Thúy's decision to stay in Japan at time was right because she ensured her income as well as earned opportunities to develop," said scout Châu Lê who helped bring Thúy to Japan.

"Going to Europe, planning must be carefully prepared, because there are many issues that must be taken into account such as the team's potential, the coaching style and culture of each team." VNS