Ajax defender confirms Pellegrini interest
And it demonstrates that, as was being speculated at the time, Manuel Pellegrini was keen and presumably remains enthusiastic to get a new utility defender into the club.
Veltman can also operate in the central defensive and right back roles and although we missed out this time it may be an option the manager looks at again in January despite the player signing a new deal in August which takes him through until 2021.
He is priced at £6.3 million at https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joel-veltman/profil/spieler/111195 which may well suit the Hammers pocket when January comes around.
The 27 year old seems to be making few bones about his disappointment at not being allowed out of the Dutch club but has made it pretty clear that should the opportunity arise he wants the chance to move on in the near future.
“Everyone knows that I would like to play abroad again”, he said via NOS. “West Ham United were interested, but there were more clubs. However, Ajax put a stop to it. I wasn’t allowed to leave”.
I also wanted to leave in 2018, but then I got injured. I started my eighteenth season here, but I’m still good, though”.
He has now started all of Ajax’s eight games this season.