In a surprising turn of events, Steven Bergwijn might still be on his way out of Ajax. Al-Ittihad is targeting the Ajax forward. If everything goes well for Ajax, there is a need to act quickly, as the Dutch transfer window is about to close.
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Technical director Alex Kroes of Ajax recently expressed on ESPN that he expects no further transfer activity for the club before the deadline.
However, this statement might have been made without taking into account the developing interest in Steven Bergwijn. In a surprising twist, Al-Ittihad, a prominent club from Saudi Arabia, has emerged as a potential suitor for the Ajax forward. With the transfer window deadline fast approaching, Al-Ittihad is actively seeking to bolster their attacking options and has identified Bergwijn as a key target. The Saudi club is keen to secure a new forward before the window closes and is reportedly considering Bergwijn alongside Galeno, a winger from FC Porto, as possible additions to their squad.
Ajax, on the other hand, finds itself in a delicate situation. Typically, the club would only entertain the idea of letting a player leave if there was a clear replacement lined up. However, the timing of Al-Ittihad’s interest presents a significant challenge. With the Dutch transfer market set to close on Monday night at 11:59 PM, Ajax has very limited time to respond to any offers and to potentially find a suitable replacement for Bergwijn. The club would need to act quickly and decisively to avoid being left short-handed going into the new season.
This situation comes on the back of another recent transfer decision by Ajax. Last week, the club allowed Carlos Forbs to leave, loaning him out to Wolverhampton Wanderers with an option for the English club to buy him permanently. This move has already reduced Ajax's attacking options, making the potential departure of Bergwijn even more impactful. Losing two attacking players in quick succession would significantly affect the squad depth and could hinder Ajax's ability to compete effectively in both domestic and European competitions.
As the deadline looms, the situation is tense for Ajax. The club's management must weigh the financial benefits of a potential sale against the risk of weakening the squad. Al-Ittihad’s interest, while flattering, comes at a challenging time, and Ajax must decide whether to negotiate a deal or hold firm in their commitment to maintaining a strong team.
The interest in Bergwijn is indicative of the wider market dynamics currently in play, especially with Saudi clubs aggressively pursuing European talent to strengthen their rosters. For Bergwijn, a move to Al-Ittihad could offer a lucrative opportunity, but it would also mean leaving European football, where he has been a prominent figure since his days at PSV Eindhoven and later Tottenham Hotspur.
Ajax fans and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the club’s next move. The clock is ticking, and every minute counts as they approach the transfer deadline. Whether they will manage to keep Bergwijn or see him depart for Saudi Arabia remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the next few hours will be crucial in shaping Ajax's squad for the upcoming season. The club's ability to react swiftly and strategically could make all the difference in navigating this unexpected transfer saga.
Updated: 03:12, 2 Sep 2024
