Owen Wijndal reveals: ‘That salary story is simply not true. I stayed at Ajax because…’

Last summer, Owen Wijndal looked set to leave Ajax after four seasons, only for the move to fall through at the last moment. Speaking to De Telegraaf, the left-back has discussed his current situation.

"I've had to fight my way back a few times already. Of course I'm happy with how things are going now. But at the same time, I know how football works. You're only as good as your last match," Wijndal says.

Few expected Wijndal to enjoy such a good spell. Technical director Jordi Cruyff brought two left-backs, Caio Henrique and Jofre Torrents, to Ajax, making Wijndal's role appear to be over.

Ajax were willing to let Wijndal leave and even considered terminating his contract. The left-back had said goodbye to his team-mates when the move suddenly fell through. Rumours suggested Wijndal did not want to leave Ajax because of his generous salary.

"Yes, yes, yes! The salary, right?" Wijndal laughs. "I do hear that a lot, but it really isn't true. I can earn good money at other clubs too. If money had been the most important thing, I would have left long ago."

"That salary story simply isn't true," he continues. "I stayed because I wanted to be at Ajax and because I still wanted to show what I can do here. That has always been my motivation."

For Wijndal, his Ajax chapter is far from over. Although he does not know whether the club want to extend his contract, he is open to it. "It would be quite funny, given everything that has happened over the past few years. Of course I would think about it if Ajax wanted to keep me."

"I've been here quite a long time now. But I haven't heard anything yet, and as long as that remains the case, there's little point thinking about it too much." Wijndal remains under contract until mid-2027.