Sam Lammers has returned to PSV after six years, but former agent René Wagelaar has challenged Erik ten Hag’s account of the striker’s departure from FC Twente.

Sam Lammers was officially presented as a PSV player last Wednesday, completing his return to Eindhoven after six years away.

The striker’s departure from FC Twente came after he found himself increasingly on the sidelines, with the arrival of Wout Weghorst also affecting his position in the pecking order.

Twente technical director Erik ten Hag previously told ESPN that the club was satisfied with the way the situation had been handled, insisting that the club had been clear with the player throughout the process.

“We are happy with how we did that. We have been consistent and have provided very good clarity, so everyone knows where they stand. That way, everyone can also make their own choices. We have two very good strikers,” Ten Hag said.

Former agent René Wagelaar, however, has offered a different account of what happened behind the scenes.

Speaking on ESPN programme De Voetbalkantine, Wagelaar claimed Lammers had already made clear in May that he would not extend his contract and wanted to leave once it became apparent that Weghorst was arriving.

“He was on a dead end. In May he had indicated he wasn’t going to renew. When he found out that Weghorst was coming, he thought: I’m going to get out of here. But then Twente of course didn’t play it fairly,” Wagelaar said, as quoted by PSV Inside.

The former FC Twente watcher believes the club should have handled the situation differently, arguing that Lammers should have been given clarity over his future before Weghorst’s arrival.

“They should have said: we’re going to sell you in the summer. You’ll be playing everything from minute one. Weghorst comes later and then becomes the number one, but we’re going to sell you properly through the front door. That is best for all parties. But they did of course sell him. That hasn’t gone well,” he added.

Presenter Wouter Bouwman then pointed to Ten Hag’s previous comments.

“Erik ten Hag just said: we have been very clear. This is the most proper thing we could do,” Bouwman said.

Wagelaar, though, stood by his version of events.

“I’ve heard other stories from people close to him. It wasn’t that clear. He has indicated: I’m not going to extend. Twente wanted to sell him, because Weghorst came in and he would never be able to win that.”

Meanwhile, PSV midfielder Isaac Babadi has secured a temporary move to Sparta Rotterdam after it became clear there was no place for him in Peter Bosz’s squad this season.

The attacking midfielder enjoyed a promising start to his PSV career three years ago, scoring against Sturm Graz in the Champions League qualifying round and prompting expectations of a bright future in Eindhoven.

His development has since stalled. Babadi spent last season on loan at Royal Antwerp FC without the desired breakthrough and will now attempt to rebuild his momentum in Rotterdam.

Before completing the move, Babadi contacted former PSV teammate Johan Bakayoko, who is currently under contract with Champions League opponents RB Leipzig.

Babadi said he is embracing the fresh start.

“I have the coach's and the club's trust. For now, it's a great fit. Everything is right. I joked the other day; I had Johan Bakayoko on the line and I said: 'it feels like my debut season'. That's the title I attach to it.”

Despite his latest loan move, Babadi has not closed the door on a future at PSV.

“I rule nothing out. PSV focuses on something, I do too. May our paths meet again someday, then that is the case. For now, I focus on Sparta,” the midfielder said as quoted by PSV Inside.

For Lammers, meanwhile, the move back to PSV represents a return to familiar surroundings after a difficult final chapter at Twente, while Wagelaar’s comments have added another layer to the circumstances behind his departure.