Olympique Marseille goalkeeper Jeffrey de Lange has expressed interest in returning to his boyhood club Ajax, as he seeks regular first-team football this summer.
The 28-year-old Dutchman spoke to ESPN on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, about his desire for more playing time at this stage of his career.
De Lange is under contract with Marseille until mid-2027 but faces stiff competition from fellow former Ajax goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli.
He revealed that Ajax has previously inquired about his availability on multiple occasions.
"It remains Marseille. You don't just throw that away.
On the other hand, I am at an age where I really want to play.
I also feel better than ever, so then you want to seize every opportunity to go and play," De Lange said, as quoted by Ajax Showtime.
Reflecting on a potential return to Amsterdam, where he spent his youth career, the former Go Ahead Eagles keeper indicated openness to various opportunities.
"That would be very beautiful. I don't really have a preference," he stated.
Despite his eagerness to play, De Lange noted that staying in France remains a viable option.
"I just want to go and play and play at a beautiful club. Not at all costs, because I still think Marseille is a fantastic club.
Something is going to happen there this summer anyway, so it is certainly still an option to stay there," he said.
De Lange endured a tumultuous season with the French side, which included a strict week-long team stay at the training complex during periods of unrest.
"That was quite tough, because I have a little one of one year old.
Then you are at the training complex the whole week, while that little one and your girlfriend are sitting at home," he stated.
The internal strain affected the squad differently, but the Dutchman tried to view the challenge as a learning experience.
"I try to look at it positively and pick up something like that to become better again. A number of teammates did not completely agree with it.
It is sometimes difficult to understand. I cannot say much more about it," he said.
De Lange briefly earned the starting role under former manager Roberto De Zerbi, but his momentum was cut short by a sudden coaching change.
"That was a bit sour.
Normally I am not broken up about it for very long and I flip the switch and move on.
But you had such a good connection with the trainer and I felt in everything that my chance was coming," he stated.
His opportunity arose after delivering consistent performances during domestic cup fixtures.
"At a certain point I had to come to De Zerbi's office and he said: Jeff, it is your time.
You are going to play from now on. You have earned it.
Then you play one game, the trainer flies out and the interim chooses the other, because he had played more," De Lange said.
The interim manager's decision left the goalkeeper frustrated after working for eighteen months to secure his position.
"He chose a bit for the safe option," he stated.
According to reports from voetbalprimeur. nl, De Lange remains determined to resolve his future during the current transfer window.
"I was a bit sour about that for a while, also because I had the idea that I deserved it at that moment.
You work towards that for a year and a half and unfortunately it was short-lived," he concluded.
