Ajax faces a difficult financial decision regarding on-loan striker Tolu Arokodare after Kasper Dolberg suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament tear during international duty with Denmark.
The Financial Impact of the Dolberg Injury
Het Parool detailed in an extensive analysis that the injury to the 29-year-old Danish forward is both a personal blow and a severe sporting and financial setback for the Amsterdam club. Ajax paid 10 million euros to Anderlecht last summer to sign Dolberg and gave him a substantial salary, but the club failed to sell him during previous transfer windows when talks with FC Midtjylland and Lille OSC fell through. With Dolberg sidelined for the remainder of the season, selling him has become virtually impossible. VoetbalPrimeur noted that while the FIFA Club Protection Plan covers a portion of Dolberg’s base salary after an initial 28-day threshold, the lack of transfer revenue leaves Ajax grappling with rigid financial constraints.
Transfer Market Choices for Jordi Cruijff
The absence of incoming transfer fees from a potential Dolberg sale leaves sporting leadership facing a complex dilemma. Het Parool questioned whether Ajax possesses the financial resources to trigger the 20 million euro purchase clause for Arokodare while both Dolberg and Marcos Leonardo remain under contract. The financial strain raises doubts over whether the club can fund winter reinforcements or sustain its broader squad planning for the summer window.
Míchel Backs Squad Depth and Leonardo
Ajax head coach Míchel Sánchez addressed the squad’s current status ahead of their Eredivisie restart against NEC in the Johan Cruijff Arena. Ajax Showtime reported that the manager highlighted Arokodare as the stronger starter so far this season while reiterating support for Leonardo’s ongoing development on the training ground.
New Signings and Injury Updates
Ajax also integrated new arrivals ahead of the weekend fixture. Míchel confirmed that winger Simon Adingra and midfielder Yves Bissouma are available to make their debuts, though both lack full match rhythm after limited playing time last season. Meanwhile, the club continues to monitor the recovery timelines of Daley Blind, Steven Berghuis, and Caio Henrique as the squad prepares for the remainder of the Eredivisie campaign.
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