Edson Alvarez has insisted he is now ready for a move away from Ajax after seeing a £43million summer switch to Chelsea collapse.
The Blues made a late play for the Mexican midfielder, only to be rebuffed by Ajax and move to sign Denis Zakaria on loan instead.
With the Juventus loanee unlikely to stay for next season, Alvarez could again be on Chelsea’s radar and he has revealed he “grieved” when denied a move to Stamford Bridge last year.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle have also been linked with Alvarez in recent weeks.
“I grieved for one day and then showed that I am a strong person,” he told De Telegraaf.
“Of course the disappointment lasted for a while, but I believe that everything happens for a reason. Maybe it wasn't the right time yet.
“My time will come, one hundred percent. That is in God's and my own hands. And I'm working hard to be ready for a new challenge
“I came to Ajax to learn, to enjoy and to reach the next level. Of course my focus is one hundred percent on Ajax at the moment.
“But if something beautiful comes along next summer that is good for Ajax and for me, then I want to seize that opportunity.”
