The AZ technical director Ernest Stewart is hoping that the Swedish midfielder extends his contract at the Eredivisie club despite heavy interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.
Reports in Dutch media confirm that AZ Alkmaar are keen to prolong Rasmus Elm’s stay at AFAS Stadion by offering him a new contract. The 24-year-old has an ongoing contract that runs until the summer of 2013, but the club management is keen to retain his
services for a longer period.
The free-kick specialist arrived at AFAS Stadion in the 2009/10 season after netting 18 goals in 96 appearances for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kalmar-FF-c39661. The midfield ace rapidly became one of the key players in the AZ squad and has thus far played 81 games for the Alkmaar outfit.
The Swedish International has been performing consistently since his arrival in Alkmaar. However, his scintillating shows this term, netting 10 goals while setting up seven more in 30 appearances, have attracted interest from a host of top European clubs
with Manchester Untied and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 said to be his greatest admirers.
With several clubs taking interest in acquiring the 24-year-old’s services in the upcoming summer transfer market, it seems unlikely that the Swedish International would be plying his trade at AFAS Stadion beyond this season.
However, the AZ technical director, Ernest Stewart, has insisted that his side would be offering the midfielder a new and improved contract to persuade him to stay in Alkmaar for a longer period.
“We cannot afford to lose Rasmus on a free transfer. It goes without saying that we want to keep him happy and to stay here longer”, Stewart was quoted as saying to Voetbal International.
The technical director went on to reveal that his side knows that it will not be an easy task to retain the midfielder’s services.
“We are even talking to each other, but with the birth of his daughter these discussions were postponed. Despite all the interest for Rasmus, I really hope he stays at http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571”, Stewart concluded.
Elm missed his side’s last Eredivisie encounter against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Feyenoord-c39258 Rotterdam due to the birth of his first daughter.
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