Gregory van der Wiel says he is ready to move on from Ajax as talks continue with Valencia over a summer move.
Defender expects to leave Amsterdam in the summer
Ajax defender Gregory van der Wiel says he is ready to move on from the Eredivisie club as talks continue with Valencia over a summer move.
Van der Wiel's agent revealed earlier this week that Ajax are in negotiations with the Primera Liga club, who want to sign the 24-year-old at the end of the season.
The stopper has described Valencia as a "beautiful and good club" and is ready to move on.
"I expect something to happen. I've already been at Ajax for quite some years," Van der Wiel, who came through the youth ranks in Amsterdam, told
NUSport.
"It is my club but I'm ready for a new step in my career."
"I'm 24, which is a good time to go. I also think my departure will be good for my development.
"I have one year left on my contract after this season and I think Ajax will let me go."
Best
Van der Wiel is not ruling out a January move but says a summer transfer is more likely.
"Never say never, but it seems best to just leave in the summer," he added.
"I can then leave in a good way and it's also good to start at a new club at the start of the season."
The defender says he has been encouraged to join Valencia by his friend Hedwiges Maduro, who plays for the Spanish side after leaving Ajax for the Primera Liga in 2008.
"I hear good stories about the club from Hedwiges Maduro, who has played there for a while," he said.
"He's a good friend of mine and the Primera Division is a great league."
