Siem De Jong contemplating Ajax exit

London: With the World Cup a year away, the 24-year-old believes now may be the time to leave Amsterdam for a bigger club.

Siem de Jong has admitted he is considering leaving Ajax this summer in a bid to make the "next step" in his career. The midfielder played a starring role as the Amsterdam giants lifted a third consecutive Eredivisie title this season, but is now mulling over his next step as he looks to become a key player for the Netherlands ahead of World Cup 2014. “[I grew] as a footballer and as a person. Perhaps now is the time for the next step, abroad,” he said. “I`ll see what’s coming at me in the summer and then make an assessment. I do not necessarily want to move away from Ajax, especially in the season of the World Cup, it is important for me to play a lot. Ajax does that for me.” De Jong`s performances this term have seen him named in Louis van Gaal`s squad for Netherland`s friendlies with Indonesia and China this month and he revealed his delight at being a part of the national side. He said: “I’m in the selection of the Dutch national team and that`s always nice. It’s just a chance to show myself on and off the field again. I have previously been called up under this coach only once. In that respect it is a great opportunity to show myself. I am absolutely excited.” The 24-year-old then revealed his favoured position and admitted he faces tough competiton to nail down a regular spot with the Oranje. “I see myself as a player in the number 10 position, behind the striker. When I play as a striker, that’s no problem. But I’m not a real striker. I’ve always played as an attacking midfielder since I was little," he explained. “In my position, the guys playing international football play at top clubs. They are great footballers. Maybe that’s a little bit my bad luck. “I have been a midfielder two years in a row [for Ajax], and I have been the player with the most goals. That says something. Sometimes I was less focused on the goal too, and played mainly for the squad. It actually comes naturally.” Goal.com