Cardiff City dealt transfer blow with long-term target claiming Welsh club "couldn't afford" his release clause

Long-term Cardiff City target Melle Meulensteen has revealed his mooted move to the Welsh club fell through after the Championship club "couldn't afford" his €2 million release clause.

The 27-year-old had been heavily linked with a move this summer with reports in the Netherlands claiming the Bluebirds had engaged in detailed discussions with Go Ahead Eagles.

However, despite Cardiff's desire to thrash out the terms of a deal with the Dutch club, the move failed to materialise.

Meulensteen was understood to be keen to seal a switch to the Championship with the expectancy being that Cardiff would fork out the €2 million fee to trigger his release clause.

"I had a clause of €2 million in my contract, but I think they considered that too much," the midfielder told the media following Go Ahead Eagles' 3-1 victory over ADO Den Haag at the weekend.

"Cardiff inquired about me, but they quickly realised that they couldn't afford me."

It has since come to light that the Eredivisie side have removed the release clause in the former Manchester United youngster's contract, giving them greater control over the player's immediate future.

"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."