Hiddink: I wanted Stam

PSV Eindhoven boss Guus Hiddink has revealed he fought until the last minute to bring AC Milan defender Jaap Stam back to the club.

Former Manchester United defender Stam will return to Holland in July after signing a two-year contract with Ajax, who agreed an undisclosed fee with Milan.

Hiddink was keen to clinch Stam’s signature but felt the figures involved were too much.

“The value of Stam to the team is clear but you have to look at the economic value too,” Hiddink said.

“Including his salary the transfer would have cost around e6m and that is a lot because at the end of it he would be worth nothing.”