Multiple Ajax Superstars Linked To Major Clubs Across Europe

The Dutch giants AFC Ajax had some season this year. The club won their domestic league, cup and made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League before being knocked out by Tottenham Hotspurs. The major clubs in Europe are looking to snag the talent away that the impressive Ajax team possess. A number of promising players from Ajax have been linked to other clubs, including their manager, Erik ten Hag.

Back in January, the Ajax midfielder Frankie De Jong agreed a deal with Spanish league winners, FC Barcelona to join over the summer. There is serious hype and potential around the 19-year-old, as The Independent’s Miguel Delaney compared the youngster to former Barca superstar, Xavi, according to Bleacher Report. De Jong has been trying to recruit his former Ajax teammate and Dutch counterpart, Matthijs De Ligt to join Barca with him.

“Of course I would like him to come to Barcelona, but we will see what happens. It’s up to him. I don’t know, it’s his decision,” De Jong said, according to Sacha Pisani of Goal. “You have to ask him about it, but I hope he comes to Barca.”

De Ligt has given no hints about where he will be signing for next season, as the 19-year-old CB has been linked to just about every big club in Europe, including PSG, Liverpool, Manchester United and Juventus.

“I will take my time to reflect on what is the best option for my future,” De Ligt said, according to ESPN, after the Netherlands beat England in Thursday’s game.

Ajax attacking midfielder Donny van De Beek has been linked to clubs as well. the 22-year-old had 13 total assists and 17 goals in all competitions, and played a big role to Ajax’s incredible season.

“I don’t see Donny leaving Ajax for just any club abroad. He is not the type who chooses based on money. Donny knows what he has in Amsterdam and he wouldn’t swap that for something less in a sporting sense,” van De Beek’s agent Sjaak Swart said, according to Goal. “If he ever leaves Ajax, in my eyes it must be to go to an absolute top club.”

A majority of Ajax’s squad as been linked to moves to major clubs, such as Hakim Ziyech, David Neres and their manager ten Hag. According to Express, the Ajax manager is likely the new man to take english powerhouse Chelsea FC as his new project, as current Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has dropped multiple hints of him going back home to Italy to coach Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Ajax board and front office will try to hold on to as much as they can this offseason, but the turn of profit for the Dutch side will be one of the bests in club history if they were to offload such an immense amount of talent.

Article by Tyler Pence