Eriksen: No move in January

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:23:00

Ajax playmaker Christian Eriksen has brushed aside suggestions he could be on the move in January, but has admitted playing in the Premier League is a long-term goal.

The Denmark international has emerged as one of Europe's most coveted players following a series of impressive displays for club and country, with a number of teams monitoring his performances.

But the talented 20-year-old, who has already made 136 first-team appearances for Ajax, is in no hurry to turn his back on the Eredivisie side and is more interested in regular action, rather than the financial rewards which may be on offer elsewhere.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham have all been linked in the past, but any suitors are likely to need to demonstrate patience in their pursuit of the level-headed youngster.

When asked if he was likely to be on the move in January, Eriksen told the Guardian: "I don't think so. If something really exciting is coming, maybe you would look at it. But my feeling now is take it easy and see when it comes.

"I think for everyone who wants to get to the highest level, you have to be in the Premier League, of course. But when that should be, I have no idea. Maybe 10 years.

"I'm going to see what opportunities there are but I'm still happy here and I don't have any thoughts that I have to leave.

"Money has never been a motivation. I have chosen football before that every time and I still do that. I'm addicted to football. When I get outside, I just want to stay on the training pitch."

Eriksen had two trials with Chelsea when aged 14 and 15, but has no regrets over the fact that the European champions did not offer him a contract at Stamford Bridge.

He added: "Chelsea is such a big club, they have so much money that if they need someone for the first team, they just buy them. Ajax buy them if they are young and they see talent. And it's easier to go to the first-team here and that was also what I saw.

"At Chelsea it was like, Under-17 own world, Under-19 own world and then the first team another world. For a [young] player it was difficult to see how there could be a possibility."

Eriksen also snubbed interest from Manchester City 18 months ago, with his desire to play regularly the main driving force behind his decision.

"Again, it was the feeling to get to a big club where they buy some new players every six months," he said.

"Then, probably, if you didn't do well in the beginning, you would go out on loan. I wouldn't like that. For me, it was just about wanting to play. At that point I was just 19 years old, so I had no hurry."