Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 08:26

PSV and Mohamed Ihattaren are heading for a summer farewell to each other. The nineteen-year-old attacking midfielder-cum-winger still has a contract until mid-2022, has no intention of extending that contract for the time being and therefore threatens to leave transfer-free in a year. It Eindhovens Dagblad writes that PSV will therefore ‘not take a hard line’ towards interested clubs, although there is not yet a storm in terms of interest.

PSV can still collect a somewhat acceptable amount for Ihattaren this summer, but that will be different in six months. The attacking midfielder has for the time being rejected all offers to extend his contract and is threatening to leave in a year’s time on a free transfer. For that reason, the people of Eindhoven will ‘not take a hard line’ and give Ihattaren a safe-conduct with a reasonable offer’ when an interested club reports for him.

It Eindhovens Dagblad writes that if a club presents an ‘amount that PSV is not entirely happy with’, an attempt will be made to negotiate a high resale percentage. In that case, PSV will keep a ‘grip on Ihattaren’s transfer rights’ if he manages to find his way again at a new club. However, interest is not yet in full swing. Although Napoli inquired at PSV, but then did not proceed for the time being.

If Ihattaren is not sold before September 1, PSV will then see if he still wants to stay. The attacking midfielder has arrived fit for the start of the season, but that has not resulted in a starting spot yet. Trainer Roger Schmidt kept Ihattaren on the reserve bench for 90 minutes in the 5-1 win against Galatasaray in the preliminary round of the Champions League.

“Where does he need to get better? He must become more reliable. In which? In terms of tactics, mentality and motivation. In all respects, therefore,” said Schmidt last week. Under Mark van Bommel, Ihattaren broke through in the main squad of PSV, but has disappeared from the starting eleven since the arrival of Schmidt. In the previous season, he made 29 games, 20 of which as a starting player and in which he was good for 3 goals and 2 assists.