Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has slammed Steven Bergwijn’s move to Saudi Pro League club Ittihad Jeddah.
Bergwijn completed a shock move from Ajax to Ittihad Jeddah in a €25 million deal that was officially announced on Monday.
The 26-year-old’s transfer was met with criticism led by his national team manager Koeman who believes the player moved to the Middle East at an early stage in his career.
The Dutchman added that the winger prioritised financial gain over his sporting aspirations and will not be considered for international duty for the foreseeable future.
Speaking of the winger’s chances of being called up to the national team, Koeman said: “When you are 26, your main ambition should be sporting, not financial. These are choices that players make.
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“I have never been in that situation, because I could go to Barcelona. He could have stayed at Ajax, that’s not bad, is it? You have to respect that choice, but personally, I wouldn’t [have moved].”
The former defender also said that the comparison between Wijnaldum and Bergwijn’s situations is not fair, adding: “Georginio Wijnaldum once went that way because he had a problem at Paris Saint-Germain, he could only go to that country to play football until January.
“He had problems at Paris Saint-Germain and this was the only opportunity for him to play. In addition, there is a difference in age,” he added.
