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Ajax ravaged by transfers? What will become of their young stars
The 2018/2019 season was one to remember for Ajax fans; a first league title in five years, a first KNVB Cup Final victory in nine years, a first Champions League semi final since 1997 and a young, talented squad that bared resemblance to famous Ajax squads of the past.
But as is the way of de Godenzonen, these young players are often sold before their full potential has been reached. Rumours regarding possible transfers of some members of the squad had started before the season had even ended. The seemingly inevitable break-up of this unique team seems a part of life, with huge fees set to be paid for the best of the bunch, allowing the famous Ajax academy to provide the next generation of talent.
So what has happened to those players who starred last season?
Frenkie de Jong
Age - 22
Position - Midfielder
Club - Barcelona
De Jong was the first player to make the move away from Amsterdam. The highly sought after midfielder had lined up a move to Barcelona in January, with the player allowed to finish the campaign with the Dutch club - officially moving to the Spanish champions in July for a reported €75 million, on a five year deal.
Matthijs de Ligt
Age - 19
Position - Defender
Club - Juventus
Ajax Captain at only 19-years-old, de Ligt showed maturity beyond his years last season, and as a result he had a line of clubs hoping to gain his signature. The youngster has taken his time to pick his next move and has decided upon Italian champions Juventus, who he scored against in Ajax’s Champions League quarter-final, second leg win last season. The Old Lady have paid an initial fee of €75 million.
READ MORE: Juventus complete £68m deal for Matthijs De Ligt
André Onana
Age - 23
Position - Goalkeeper
Interested clubs - Manchester United
Manchester United have been the side most commonly linked with signing Cameroonian shot-stopper André Onana as a replacement for Spaniard David De Gea, if he were to leave the club rather than sign a new deal himself. Rumours have varied on the price United would have to pay to capture the 23-year old, with figures falling somewhere between the £30-40 million mark. Onana may turn down a move away from Ajax to stay at the club for another season.
Donny van de Beek
Age - 22
Position - Midfielder
Interested clubs - Tottenham, Real Madrid
Donny van de Beek has sparked interest from two of the clubs he played against in the knock-out stages of the Champions League last season. Ajax beat Real Madrid in the Last 16 of the competition, and he scored against Tottenham in the first leg of their narrow semi-final defeat to the North London club. The 22-year-old obviously impressed, and is rumoured to be worth around £50 million. The midfielder is contracted to the club until 2022 and director of football Marc Overmars has publicly said he wants the player to stay for another year.
David Neres
Age - 22
Position - Striker
Interested clubs - Liverpool, Everton, Wolves, Atletico Madrid
David Neres has had interest from around the world according Overmars, with the club turning down an offer from a Chinese club in January. Last season the Brazilian scored 12 goals in all competitions and recorded an impressive 15 assists as well. Ajax admitted they have received a concrete offer for the player, with the club putting a valuation of £80 million on the young man’s shoulders. Atletico Madrid are believed to be leading the race to sign him.
Losing five key players would affect any side, and Ajax have a tough task of replacing these stars next season, but no doubt they will have plenty of money in the bank and the famous academy to roll out the next batch of young talent.
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