Ajax’s Defensive Dilemma: Itakura Stays While Sutalo Faces Exit

omidbasir- Ko Itakura has not made a significant impact in his first half-season at Ajax. The expectations were exceptionally high, but the Japanese player has yet to meet them.

Currently, there is serious interest from VfL Wolfsburg, who aim to bring the former Borussia Mönchengladbach and Schalke 04 player back to the Bundesliga, according to De Telegraaf. However, Ajax has clearly stated that they do not wish to sell the 29-year-old Itakura in January.

On the other hand, fellow center-back Josip Sutalo is allowed to leave the club. Ajax reportedly offered Sutalo to Wolfsburg in response to their inquiry about Itakura, although it remains uncertain whether Wolfsburg is interested in Sutalo. After a disappointing debut season at Ajax, the 25-year-old Sutalo has shown improvement under coach Francesco Farioli, yet he is still not a regular starter this season. Coach Fred Grim prefers Youri Baas, who often pairs with Aaron Bouwman or Itakura. Ajax invested around €20.5 million in Sutalo, a 30-time international, from Dinamo Zagreb in 2023. This season, Sutalo has only logged 634 minutes of play in the Eredivisie over eleven appearances.