Bournemouth star Danjuma: There has been contact with Ajax and Premier League sides

Paul Macdonald

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:39 CDT
• 2 min read

Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma has refused to rule out leaving the club should they not achieve promotion back to the Premier League, claiming he has “not set his sights” on remaining in the Championship.

The Nigerian-born Dutch international, 24, has been in inspired form for the Cherries this season, scoring 15 goals and registering seven assists in 32 league games.

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He joined the club from Club Brugge for just shy of £14million in the summer of 2019, and stayed at the Vitality Stadium despite relegation.

Bournemouth have confirmed a spot in the playoffs under Jonathan Woodgate, but Danjuma admits clubs have enquired about him and he may leave if a promotion bid fails.

“There has been contact here and there, but nothing else has happened with it,” he told Voetbalzone when asked about a move away.

“I didn’t want to leave mid-season. Bournemouth had mapped out a trajectory, I was in the right place and I would like to bring the club back to the Premier League.”

Pressed on whether he plans to stay put if promotion is secured, Danjuma said: “That is always an option. As long as we get promoted to the Premier League, it will be beneficial for the club and for me. 

“I’m not working on that yet. It is important that we go to the Premier League because I have not set my sights on an extra year in the Championship. When we get promotion, then we can see what will happen.”

Which clubs could sign Danjuma?

Ajax have been heavily linked with a move for the Danjuma, while Premier League interest has been reported in the form of both Southampton and West Ham.

It would appear he is open to a move to Ajax, saying: “Ajax is an institution worldwide. If I ever return to the Eredivisie, it must be for one of the bigger clubs. I would never come back for a mid-range club.”

Danjuma struggled in his first top-flight season, but will have benefitted from a year playing at a less technical but more physically challenging level of English football.

Bournemouth are currently fourth in the Championship, level on points with both Swansea and Barnsley and three points adrift of Brentford.