Jordi Cruijff Influences Ajax’s Winter Transfer Decisions

Jordi Cruijff has not yet officially taken control of technical decisions at Ajax, but his influence is already being felt within the club. Reports suggest that two potential transfer deals have been halted due to his input.

In a recent episode of the Kick-Off podcast, Mike Verweij, a journalist who covers Ajax for De Telegraaf, discussed the club’s activities in the winter transfer market. He noted, “Jordi Cruijff is already being utilized as a sounding board.” Typically, Cruijff is expected to officially assume his role at the ArenA named after his father sometime in February.

Verweij acknowledged the possibility that Ajax may miss out on both players involved in the halted deals. “That could happen, but those are choices that must be made,” he explained. “Decision-makers need to make tough choices. They can approach players and communicate their plans for after this season, potentially offering them a signing bonus in the summer. This can also be appealing for players. However, this approach carries risks. It complicates things further.”

It is widely recognized that Ajax sees El Karouani as an ideal left-back for their future. Current player Owen Wijndal has not met expectations since his arrival from AZ, and he commands a significant salary reflective of a more prosperous period for the club. Recently, after receiving a red card in a cup match, Wijndal addressed rumors about his potential departure in an interview with ESPN.