Melle Meulensteen has publicly addressed reports linking him with Cardiff City, claiming the Bluebirds "couldn't afford" the £2m release clause.
The 27-year-old midfielder was linked with a move to Cardiff earlier this month, with reports in the Netherlands suggesting the Bluebirds had opened talks with Go Ahead Eagles over a potential deal.
Meulensteen was notably absent from Go Ahead Eagles' squad for their 2-2 draw with Feyenoord, with Sky Sports reporting that the Dutch club did not want to risk him suffering an injury while transfer interest surrounded him.
Cardiff boss dismisses speculation
Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy subsequently dismissed the speculation as "far-fetched", saying after the 1-1 draw with Wrexham that he knew "nothing" about reported interest in the player.
That tallies up with what WalesOnline were told immediately after such reports surfaced on the continent, with sources immediately playing down links to the midfielder.
However, Meulensteen has now claimed that Cardiff did make an approach for him.
Meulensteen explains absence
Speaking to Dutch outlet FCUpdate after Go Ahead Eagles' 3-1 victory over ADO Den Haag on Sunday, the former Manchester United academy player explained why he had been absent against Feyenoord.
"I was just suffering too much," Meulensteen said, dismissing suggestions that his omission had been transfer-related.
"Then a report like that [interest from Cardiff City] comes out. People think that I'm not playing because I'm going to make that transfer, but that is obviously nonsense."
But the midfielder went on to claim that Cardiff had contacted his club.
"Go Ahead Eagles inquired about me, but they quickly realised that they couldn't afford me," he said.
"I had a clause of €2m in my contract, but I think they considered that too much."
Release clause removed
That release clause has since been removed for the current transfer window, meaning Go Ahead Eagles now have greater control over his future.
"Now the clause has been removed from my contract for this summer and the winter," Meulensteen added. "Now Go Ahead Eagles can decide what I am worth, but it will apply again next year.
"It is a way of building in a bit of security so that I don't leave this coming week."
The comments appear to bring an end to the immediate prospect of Meulensteen joining Cardiff, with the player confirming that he is happy to remain with Go Ahead Eagles.
"I feel at home here and I am enjoying myself," he said. "It is not that I really want to leave. It is no punishment at all to stay."
Meulensteen has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign with Go Ahead Eagles, who have collected seven points from their opening three Eredivisie matches.
He joined the club from Sampdoria last year and made 33 appearances in his first season in Deventer, scoring five goals and providing three assists.
The midfielder began his career in Manchester United's academy, where his father Rene Meulensteen was an assistant manager under Sir Alex Ferguson.
He subsequently moved to Preston North End before spells with RKC Waalwijk and Vitesse, joining Sampdoria in 2023 before returning to the Netherlands with Go Ahead Eagles last summer.
Cardiff's transfer plans
Cardiff had been exploring several positions as they look to strengthen Brian Barry-Murphy's squad before the transfer window closes on September 1.
The Bluebirds have already brought in Jack Moylan, Nathan Trott on a permanent deal and Liverpool youngster Calum Scanlon on loan this summer.
But injuries have left Cardiff particularly short defensively, with Will Fish facing around three months out following surgery, while Dylan Lawlor remains unavailable and Calum Chambers has been struggling with a knee issue.
Gabriel Osho also suffered a hyperextended knee during the 1-1 draw with Wrexham and was injured for Saturday's 2-2 draw with Derby County.
Barry-Murphy has acknowledged that Cardiff need further additions, with the club understood to be considering reinforcements in several positions, including a winger, defender, striker and deep-lying physical midfielder.
After the game at Pride Park on Saturday, the Irishman revealed that he expected at least one new addition by the time his side take on Norwich City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
