Callum Ainley turned down an ‘extortionate amount of money’ to stay with Crewe Alex.
That’s according to manager David Artell, who said the 20-year-old’s loyalty to the club can never be questioned.
The homegrown attacking midfielder could have run down his contract and joined another club this summer, lining his own pockets but leaving the Alex entitled only to meagre compensation.
But Ainley signed a new three-year deal at Gresty Road yesterday (Thursday) despite interest from a Championship club.
Artell said: “There was a club interested in Callum – we didn’t receive any bids – but I know the figures that were banded to Callum if he went.
“It was an extortionate amount of money. I certainly won’t tell you the figures, but if anyone is doubting Callum Ainley’s commitment to this club: Don’t you worry.
“He has turned down a hell of a lot of money to stay at this football club and finish his development.
“I can only thank him for that. I truly believe that he will end up making even more money than that.
“Is he ready? Not quite. And that’s at League Two. If you want to get into the Championship you have to be eight or nine out of 10 every Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday...
“You have to be ready physically and mentally, and Callum understands that.
“Callum has been absolutely terrific all the way through. He said ‘I don’t want to go, I know I’m not ready yet’ and he is going to be with us for the foreseeable future.”
Ainley, along with James Jones and Charlie Kirk, is a key player for the team and has been tipped to bring in money through transfer fees in the future.
