“It’s difficult” – Player disappointed club rejected Wolves deadline offer

Wolves made a late attempt to sign FC Twente’s Bart van Rooij in the winter market.

On Tuesday, we covered claims from the Dutch press of Wolves’ ‘mega offer’ for the right-back. The Eredivisie had no plan to let him leave midway through the season and rejected Wolves’ €10m bid.

Later that day, Van Rooij played 119 minutes in his side’s KNVB Cup [Dutch cup] defeat to AZ Alkmaar.

Sportnieuws say this was the second blow to the defender within 48 hours. The first was his failed move to Molineux.

After yesterday’s cup defeat, the 24-year-old confirmed the approach from Rob Edwards’ side on deadline day. The same outlet has relayed his comments. Although he didn’t end up joining the Premier League club, the drama experienced was new to the Dutchman.

“My last days were actually very quiet, until Monday about 12 o’clock. Then it all happened very quickly, because then it took very serious forms. I have never experienced such a transfer deadline day, but it is special to experience,” he said.

Van Rooij joined the Eredivisie side from NEC Nijmegen in August 2024 and signed a contract until 2028. He has been a regular for the former, making 69 appearances and 24 are from this season.

The fullback reveals Wolves were willing to make an extra effort on deadline day. Twente, however, came in his way and refused to let him leave. He isn’t pleased with their decision but has to accept it.

“It is of course a very nice compliment that a club from the Premier League wanted to pay a considerable amount. Wolves were willing to go far, but Twente has been very confident from the start: I was not allowed to leave. I can only accept that,” Van Rooij explained.

“Of course, it’s difficult to ignore something like that. It’s the step to the Premier League that you can make.”

The Molineux club are now bottom of the table, but that didn’t put off the Twente player.

“It was more to get a taste of the Premier League, and they wanted to prepare me for next season,” he added.