Yahoo News Davy Klaassen breaks silence on Rangers transfer miss as Ianis Hagi saga takes fresh twist
Midfielder Davy Klaassen has opened up on his decision to return to Ajax amid reported interest from Rangers.
Philippe Clement and director of football recruitment Nils Koppen are said to have launched an audacious bid to land the Netherlands midfielder after he was released by Inter at the end of the last season - but the 31-year-old opted to make a move back to Amsterdam as he looks to kickstart his career. And despite claims of interest from the Scottish Premiership, Klaassen has now insisted his focus was always on returning to Ajax on a one-year deal.
He revealed that Serie A champions Inter Milan did not want him leave the club - but an emotional conversation with boss Simone Inzaghi saw a move "home" emerge. He said: “They didn’t want me to leave, so I went to the coach and said ‘Coach, I don’t know. I want to go to Ajax, I want to go home.’ I told him I wanted to leave because I cannot give my all anymore and that is unfair for you too. Coach, I just want to go home."
While a move for Klaassen is now out of the question, Rangers will hope that Ianis Hagi can still be moved on in January. The playmaker has been relegated to the B team with Clement ruling the Romania international out of his first-team plans.
Record Sport that a clause in the 25-year-old's contract would see him receive a wage rise should he play one more game for Rangers - with the midfielder currently sitting on 99 appearances for the Light Blues. And now Hagi is not even getting a look-in for the B team - as he posted missing from their SPFL Trophy win over Fraserburgh.
The rules of the competition allow two senior players to be called upon during cup clashes - but the former Alaves loanee did not get the nod from Colts' boss David McCallum. Instead, Alex Lowry got a run-out in the playmaker role as he looks to catch the eye of Clement.
It comes after Hagi insisted last week that he believed a recall to the first-team plans was incoming: "I'm a Rangers player and I love this club. I have not disappointed anyone at the club who had faith in me and I am sure that I will get another chance."
