Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka has refused to rule out a summer exit from the Stadion im Borussia-Park, according to ESPN FC.
Xhaka, who joined Die Fohlen from Swiss Super League side FC Basel in a deal worth €8.5 million last summer, wants to keep his place in Swiss national team ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The Switzerland international lost his place in Monchengladbach’s first-team in October, but returned to the starting XI on 19 April against FC Augsburg. Since returning to the first-team, Xhaka has started three consecutive league matches.
“There are no guarantees in football,” said the 20-year-old. You cannot say if you are here for next season. I will most certainly be here for the next two games, and I’ll take it from there.”
“I must consider a couple of things. Of course, I have played a few games now, but when the new season begins and I don’t play, my place in the national team is in danger. I want to make it to the 2014 World Cup with Switzerland, but I need to play in the club if I want to keep my place in the national team.”
Xhaka, whose current contract expires in the summer of 2017, has made 29 competitive appearances for Borussia Monchengladbach this term.
In addition, the 20-year-old has tallied one goal and two assists in six 2014 World Cup qualifying matches for Switzerland this season.
Cuenca wants Ajax stay
FC Barcelona winger Isaac Cuenca has revealed he wants to remain on loan at Dutch Eredivisie giants Ajax Amsterdam next season, ESPN FC understands.
Cuenca, 22, has endured a nightmare, injury-ridden campaign in 2012-13, having made just four appearances since joining Ajax on loan in January.
Nonetheless, Ajax are believed to be interested in extending the stay of the 22-year-old for another 12 months.
According to reports, Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars was in Catalonia last week to speak with Andoni Zubizarreta about keeping Cuenca at the Amsterdam Arena next season.
“I want to stay at Ajax,” said Cuenca. “This team is good for me because I can play more here than at Barca. I know Barca is the biggest, but I like it here, and would like to stay another season. I hope it can be sorted out.”
Fellow Catalans Marc Muniesa and Sergi Roberto have been linked with summer moves to Ajax, who won their third consecutive Dutch Eredivisie title after recording a 5-0 win over Willem II Tilburg last weekend.
Regarding the rumours, Cuenca added: “That is a personal matter, it depends on what each one wants. I would tell them, and everyone in general, that if they want to come to a team that plays like Barca, to have minutes on the pitch and to play in the Champions League, Ajax is a very good option.
“The system of play is the same. The two teams want to attack and play good football. At both clubs the players who move up from the youth teams have already learned all the automatic moves.”
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