Sneijder has made up his mind: "I'm staying"
20 July: Players coming or going? That's
news. But a player staying? That's
normally not very spectacular news, but there are exceptions to
the rule. Wesley Sneijder had some big news to
announce at a special press conference in De Lutte today: he
will stay at Ajax for another season. "This decision gives me
peace of mind," the 23 year-old midfielder said. "We can have a
great season with Ajax. We're going for the title and I believe
we can reach far in the Champions League."
Wesley Sneijder has been linked with Valencia for
months, but the Spanish top side had two bids rejected by Ajax,
who raised their price to 30 million euros this week. Real
Madrid were also said to lie in wait, just like English
Premiership sides Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa. According
to newspaper Algemeen Dagblad Ajax's forfeit for one
more season of Sneijder's loyalty is their promise to let
him go for a limited transfer fee next summer. His contract at
the Amsterdam ArenA will expire in the summer of 2009. Sneijder
won't extend his deal.
Where will he go? How much will his new club pay for him
next year? We will have to wait and see.
Fact is that Wesley Sneijder will be Ajax's 'number 10' for
one last season. Ajax's general director, Maarten Fontein, was
over the moon: "This is very good for everyone. For Wesley, for
the team, for the club and for our fans. Especially with the
ambition that Ajax have this year," Fontein said.
Added Sneijder himself: "I was looking for peace of mind.
The situation of the past few weeks was not good. Not for me,
not for my team-mates. Moreover, in my opinion Ajax's purchases
of this summer are of great quality. The team is growing, there
is a lot of potential and I want to be part of that. I can
finally focus on the Champions League qualifiers now. I spoke
to the technical staff a lot and I am convinced that one more
year at the highest level with Ajax really is the best for
me."
Maarten Fontein and Wesley Sneijder were not the only happy
Ajax people in the press room of hotel De Bloemenbeek. Henk ten
Cate was also very pleased. "I am very happy that Wesley took
this decision himself. It is good to hear that he acknowledges
the fact that we're developing as a team, and that he wants to
be part of that. The reactions of the staff and the squad are
overwhelmingly positive. Wesley is respected at Ajax, as a
player and as a person." (MP)
Source: Ajax.nl, Algemeen Dagblad
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