Unexpected message settles the debate: Ten Hag surprises Barcelona | Goal.com
FC Twente have shut the door on the departure of young defender Ruud Nistadt, one of Dutch football's most prominent rising talents, after head coach Erik ten Hag confirmed the player did not ask to leave despite strong interest from Barcelona and a number of major European clubs in the recent summer window.
Barcelona had tracked Nistadt closely after his performances for Twente caught the eye. The Dutch club insisted on keeping him, reckoning the 18-year-old still needs to develop with the first team before contemplating his next step.
In statements carried by RTV Oost, Ten Hag confirmed the interest from major clubs is well known within Twente. He stressed, though, that the defender showed no desire to leave during the summer.
Twente's head coach said: "There is great interest in Ruud from very big clubs, and this is no secret," before clarifying the player's stance on his future, adding: "He wants to stay here. We did not renew his contract by chance. He wants to continue his path here, at least during this season, to be successful with us, and then we will see what happens."
That stance reflects Twente's determination to hold on to the young defender. The club have already moved to protect his future, extending Nistadt's contract last June until 2029 in a bid to keep one of the brightest talents from their academy and stop him leaving easily in the face of temptation from the big clubs.
Barcelona were clearly linked with Nistadt across the summer window, showing serious interest in the Dutch centre-back. It reached the point where the Catalan club tabled an offer approaching 8 million euros to seal the deal.
Twente turned it down. They wanted a bigger financial return, and their position never shifted once talks began. Ten Hag was clear in rejecting the idea of parting with the player during the summer, especially with the desire to give him a greater opportunity in the first team.
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