Ajax is looking for a six and seems to have a good chance of signing Stije Resink from FC Groningen, especially in the summer, to strengthen the midfield. Until then, Ajax will also be looking for a solution for the second half of the season. It can be found in England: Jaïro Riedewald.
Riedewald is of course a child of the club and went through Ajax’s youth academy until he made his debut in the Eredivisie in spectacular fashion against Roda JC in the 2013/14 season with two goals in a crazy final phase. In the three seasons that followed, Riedewald became a regular face in the selection, but he did not really break through and become a star player. A transfer to Crystal Palace in the summer of 2017 for nine million euros subsequently turned out to mean the end of Riedewald at Ajax.
Riedewald can join Ajax for free in January
Jaïro Riedewald would eventually play seven seasons at Crystal Palace, some more than others. Yet here too, a real breakthrough failed to materialize for the Dutchman. In the summer of 2024, he then transferred to Royal Antwerp for free, where he would meet Marc Overmars. He played 25 matches there last season (fifteen in the starting line-up). In October, Riedewald then signed on a free transfer with Sheffield United, where he played nine matches (seven in the starting line-up) this season. Riedewald impresses with his statistics in the championship, because according to the statistics he belongs to SciSports among the top 30% of midfielders in the Championship at six/eight. However, Riedewald’s contract expires on December 31, making him clubless from January 1, 2026.
This would mean that Ajax, which may want to keep the millions for new backs, a new right winger or for Stije Resink in the summer (can then be bought for six million), would bring in an experienced midfielder with Riedewald who is also multifunctional. In addition to six, he also has experience in eight, the back positions and central back. If Resink proves difficult to get this winter, Ajax can strike with Riedewald on a transfer.
Riedewald (blue ball) is one of the best midfielders in the British Championship this season
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