“Money-Chasing Move Proves Costly for Former Tottenham Star”

Ronald Koeman has told a Netherlands star that his international career is over after he moved to the Saudi Pro League to ‘chase money over ambition’

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has told one star his international career is over after a controversial move to the Saudi Pro League.

A surprising Euro 2024 saw the Netherlands reach the semi-final where they were eventually knocked out by England thanks to Ollie Watkins’ 90th minute winner. Koeman’s side are now aiming for the Nations League glory having reached the final of the inaugural edition back in 2019.

They have been drawn in a tough group though, with games against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, and Hungary to come. One player who featured in the Euros campaign this summer but will be missing for the foreseeable future is Steven Bergwijn.

The 26-year-old Dutch forward recently signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad from Ajax for £17.7m and has been accused of choosing money over ambition by his national team manager.

“When you are 26, your main ambition should be sporting, not financial. These are choices that players make,” Koeman said in a press conference. The book is basically closed to him. He knows what I think about this.

Bergwijn came up through the ranks at Ajax’s world-famous academy and was a big part of their impressive run to the Champions League semi-final in 2019. He later earned a £27million move to Tottenham Hotspur but never really hit the heights expected of him, scoring just eight goals in 83 appearances before returning to Amsterdam.

Several players have been criticised for moving to the Saudi Pro League in recent years given it’s a division lacking in quality. While Bergwijn is likely to be disappointed with Koeman’s decision, his huge pay packet and regular game time alongside the likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Fabinho will surely soften the blow.