Driessen challenges Feyenoord’s account of transfer constraints

Valentijn Driessen has criticised Feyenoord technical director Dévy Rigaux for his account of the club’s financial position during the latest transfer window. According to Voetbalzone, the De Telegraaf journalist believes former general director Dennis te Kloese did not deserve to be publicly blamed by the new leadership.

Rigaux said he inherited a squad containing 43 contracted players and needed to reduce both the wage bill and amortisation costs while retaining key performers. Driessen questioned that explanation because Feyenoord did not provide supporting figures and reportedly rejected an offer worth more than €40 million from Al-Ittihad for Anis Hadj Moussa.

Driessen also pointed to approximately €20 million spent on reinforcements, around €50 million raised by selling surplus players and an expected €35 million from participation in the Champions League league phase. He argued that those numbers, alongside Feyenoord’s refusal of other substantial offers, were difficult to reconcile with claims that the club had little room to operate.

Rigaux separately explained why some proposed departures did not happen. He said Ayase Ueda preferred a Premier League move when Feyenoord was willing to cooperate with Fenerbahçe, but no concrete English interest emerged. Feyenoord also chose to retain Gjivai Zechiël despite interest from Lille because Rigaux, coach Robin van Persie and the club viewed the midfielder as a player for the future. Zechiël is now expected to receive an improved contract.