Ajax has set its sights on Stije Resink, but the FC Groningen captain is only a serious option in the summer due to a clause. Before then, the people of Amsterdam are looking for a suitable alternative. VoetbalPrimeur lists twelve possible inspectors.
Resink seems to be a dream target in the Johan Cruijff Arena. He was born in Amsterdam and at the age of 22 became the captain and mainstay of FC Groningen. However, that club does not want to lose him in the meantime and is high on the tree in January. A summer transfer from Resink, when a clause comes into effect, is a lot more realistic.
It means that Ajax will have to look for another solution for the six position this winter, possibly on a rental basis. The financial possibilities are currently limited, although a sale of Kenneth Taylor, among others, could provide some additional support to the club’s coffers.
WK offers opportunities: routinely rent or buy
If Ajax sees the future number six in Resink and thinks it has sufficient backups, it will opt for a rental deal in January. In that respect, the World Cup could provide a solution. Quite a few veterans keep the bench warm at big clubs, but they will want to appear fit at the start of the final tournament. In that case, a temporary move to Amsterdam is a win-win situation for both parties.
Guido Rodríguez (West Ham United)
Guido Rodríguez previously won the competition against Edson Álvarez, but is now on the bench at West Ham United more often than he would like. The 31-year-old Argentinian, who became world champion in 2022 with the Albicelestehas also lost his place in the national team because of this. Rodríguez is not a special player on the ball, but he is an excellent balance keeper, who adds a lot of experience to the team.
Christian Nørgaard (Arsenal)
Christian Nørgaard qualified for the World Cup with Denmark. Although he plays little at Arsenal, his role as a back-up is clear in London. That role was already mapped out last summer and he is basically filling it satisfactorily. There is a chance that he will choose differently after six months – especially now The Gunners dreaming of the title – seems small, but not shooting is always wrong.
Kalvin Philips (Manchester City)
The arrival of Kalvin Philips is also not immediately obvious. Although the Englishman is not featured at all at Manchester City, there is also a risk in that. Philips does not have a match rhythm. This season he played just seven minutes in the League Cup. In addition, the 31-time international earns a large salary. The question is whether it is worth such an investment for a few months.
Wataru Endo (Liverpool)
If Ajax is looking for an experienced controller among the English top clubs, Liverpool may also be the right choice. Wataru Endo plays a supporting role under manager Arne Slot. Moreover, two compatriots are already active in Amsterdam: Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Once again, he who does not dare does not win. Endo, just like Nørgaard, for example, would definitely be a reinforcement.
Salih Özcan (Borussia Dortmund)
In the German top, Salih Özcan walks with his soul under his arm. He played just twenty minutes for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga this season. His lack of match rhythm is a risk, but this is the time to strike for the 27-time Turkish international. He has an expiring contract, which makes a permanent transfer more likely in his case. Özcan would be a real ‘defensive’ midfielder for Ajax.
Stephen Eustaquio (FC Porto)
Stephen Eustaquio wants to be well prepared with Canada for the World Cup in his own country. The only problem is that the controller hardly plays at FC Porto. Francesco Farioli always chooses mainstay Alan Varela, meaning Eustaquio was only allowed to participate in the competition for 159 minutes. The Canadian has a good pass and insight and has the necessary experience. This makes him seem like an interesting candidate.
© Pro ShotsIlia Gruev (Leeds United)
He failed to qualify for the World Cup with Bulgaria, but may still be an interesting (rental) option: Ilia Gruev. The 26-year-old midfielder, trained by Werder Bremen, left for Leeds United in 2023 for 6.5 million. There he alternates between bench and base. Gruev was already in the interest of Ajax before his transfer to Leeds, it was revealed The Athletic earlier. Perhaps he can now get back into the spotlight through Ajax.
Almost transfer-free opportunity and substitutes
Ajax is initially looking for an experienced leader who can take the team by the hand. Behind the controller, however, are Youri Baas and Ko Itakura, two players who are strong in coaching. And if Itakura’s compatriot Takehiro Tomiyasu is and remains fit, he will also bring a lot of experience. In that case, Ajax could also sign a younger number six.
Eric Martel (FC Köln)
A godsend, that’s what you might call Eric Martel. The 23-year-old German is a permanent fixture at FC Köln and would normally have a hefty price tag, if it were not for the fact that he has an expiring contract. The physically strong Martel is not a distribution station, but he is a physically strong ball conqueror. He was previously captain of Young Germany and is also considered one of the leaders on the field in Cologne.
© Pro ShotsIgnacio Miramón (Boca Juniors)
Youri Regeer proved in De Klassieker that he can also perform well as number six of Ajax. The rinse would nevertheless remain thin. Ignacio Miramón can compete with him. The Argentinian controller is currently rented out by Lille to Boca Juniors, but he is not playing there either. This does not immediately seem to be the best option for Miramón (22), but he has previously shown that he has a lot of potential.
Dan Neil (Sunderland)
As an option behind Regeer, Dan Neil could also be an interesting project. The 23-year-old Englishman was captain when Sunderland were promoted to the Premier League at Wembley, but has been ousted from the team by Granit Xhaka. Now that his contract expires in the summer, move on The Black Cats on a transfer in January. In the Championship he proved to be very valuable, perhaps Ajax can offer him the opportunity to bounce back.
Ajax uses Taylor millions: competitor for Resink
If Ajax wants to dig deeper into its pockets, for example if Kenneth Taylor yields a nice amount this winter, then that offers more options. In that case, a strong competitor for Resink can be found, without losing sight of the financial limits. Ajax will still not pay ten million, knowing that Resink will also cost at least six million. Yet two strong controllers would not be an unnecessary luxury.
Patrick Berg (FK Bodø/Glimt)
Patrick Berg has often been linked to Ajax in the past and that is not without reason. He is the key to the development at Bodø/Glimt. Almost every attack by the Norwegian stunt team starts with the 39-time international. The 28-year-old Berg wears the captain’s armband and is the leader of the team. Moreover, he is known as a ‘marathon man’: he hardly misses a minute. It is not without reason that Berg was recently named Player of the Year in Norway.
Gibson Yah (FC Volendam)
He is not an experienced controller nor a leader, but Gibson Yah is a very interesting option. The strong midfielder (22) is currently impressing at FC Volendam. Rafael van der Vaart, among others, was already lyrical about his possibilities. Yah also played in Ajax’s youth team and can add physical strength to the Ajax selection.
© Pro ShotsOther options
Of course, there are many more players who will be on Ajax’s list. A lot depends on the budget in that respect. If the club can move one price category higher, Antonio Blanco (Deportivo Alavés) could come back into the picture. The Spaniard’s name was already mentioned last summer. There are more interesting Spanish controllers, such as Pepelu from Valancia. Érik Lira (Cruz Azul) and Pablo Maia (São Paulo) are players who seem ready for the step to Europe. The choice in this category is huge, but it is not obvious that Ajax now spends around ten million euros.
Conclusion
Ajax is reportedly committed to hiring an experienced controller, after which Resink is the main target for the summer. Guido Rodríguez and Stephen Eustaquio seem like realistic options in that case. Salih Özcan can also add the necessary experience to the Amsterdam midfield. He has an expiring contract with Borussia Dortmund and can be recruited permanently. Another great prospect from the Bundesliga is Eric Martel, who is slightly younger.
If Ajax were willing to pay several million for winter reinforcements, Patrick Berg, for example, could be the new one patron can be. Gibson Yah has a lot of potential, just like Dan Neil, but the question is whether he can be there immediately. Much will depend on the wishes and possibilities of Ajax. One thing is clear: an inspector enjoys high priority.
