AZ Alkmaar has set its sights on Thom van Bergen as a replacement for Troy Parrott. The club from the Kaasstad is looking for a new striker and has officially shown interest in the player from FC Groningen. Thom van Bergen is expected to become the successor of Troy Parrott, who may leave AZ Alkmaar this summer. The Irish international had a strong season with the club and attracted the attention of clubs from larger competitions. AZ Alkmaar is looking for a player who can replace Parrott's performance and Van Bergen is seen as a possibility. He is praised for his energy, pressing and tenacity and fits well with the intense pressing game that AZ Alkmaar likes to play. The transfer fee for Van Bergen is estimated to be around five million euros, an amount that is significant for AZ Alkmaar, but given the current transfer market and Van Bergen's age, he is seen as a player with a lot of residual value and development potential. For AZ Alkmaar, the possible transfer fits into a recognizable strategy, where the club regularly looks for talented players from the Eredivisie who have not yet reached their ceiling. In the past, the club has been successful with similar purchases, which later became key players and were sold for high amounts. Van Bergen would fit into this picture: young, Dutch, physically strong and still in development. The supporters of AZ Alkmaar react nuanced to the possible transfer, some think that Van Bergen's playing style fits well with the club, others doubt whether he can directly replace Parrott's performance. Interestingly, several supporters indicate that Van Bergen does not necessarily have to be hired as a direct first striker, but that he can provide extra competition and fill multiple positions in the attack. This makes him attractive to AZ Alkmaar's technical management, especially since the club traditionally focuses on young Dutch players with growth potential. From FC Groningen's perspective, a departure of Van Bergen is less desirable, he is considered one of the figureheads of the new generation of players who should help the club move up again. At the same time, a bid of around five million euros cannot be easily ignored, for Groningen it would be a significant revenue for a self-trained player, money that can then be reinvested in the selection.