Ajax defender Joel Veltman has confirmed that West Ham did try to sign him in the summer, but his team blocked the move from going ahead.

The Dutch side’s sporting director Marc Overmars revealed last week that they stopped the fullback from leaving the club, but despite confirming “serious” interest, he didn’t mention the Hammers by name. Veltman, however, has gone on record to say a switch to England was a possibility:

“Everyone knows that I would like to play abroad again. West Ham United were interested, but there were more clubs. However, Ajax put a stop to it. I wasn’t allowed to leave.”

Veltman is ostensibly a right-back, but he can also play in the centre of defence. Even so, the defender, who reached the Champions League semi-final with Ajax last season, would have had fierce competition if he had moved to the London Stadium.

The Irons already have Ryan Fredericks and Pablo Zabaleta in their squad, although the latter is leaving at the end of the season. The London club could very well revive their interest in the Dutchman next summer.