Ajax striker Marcos Leonardo is facing mounting speculation regarding his future in Amsterdam after a difficult opening to his tenure with the Dutch club.
Reports from Brazil suggest that the 23-year-old forward could be a candidate for a winter departure as he struggles to secure consistent playing time under manager Míchel Sánchez.
Leonardo, who joined Ajax last summer for a fee of approximately twenty million euros, has struggled to meet the high expectations that accompanied his arrival. The forward has made sixteen official appearances for the club, tallying three goals, a return that stands in contrast to his previous stints at Santos, Benfica, and Al-Hilal, according to reports from VoetbalPrimeur.
The striker’s position within the squad has fluctuated significantly during his first months in the Netherlands. While he was initially brought in as a primary attacking option, Leonardo has often found himself behind Tolu Arokodare in the pecking order. Soccernews.nl reported that Arokodare, currently on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, has netted thirteen goals in seventeen appearances, further complicating Leonardo’s path to the starting lineup.
Despite the current challenges, Ajax technical director Jordi Cruijff has publicly maintained his support for the Brazilian forward. “I think that it is a matter of time,” Cruijff said during an appearance on the program Rondo, as noted by Soccernews.nl. “He is a different player, not the type that you give crosses to every time. He needs players who understand him.”
Speculation originating from the Brazilian media outlet Terra has linked Leonardo with a potential return to his home country during the upcoming winter transfer window. The report suggests that clubs including Flamengo, São Paulo, and his former side, Santos, could emerge as possible destinations if his situation at the Johan Cruijff ArenA does not improve.
The proposed scenario involves a potential loan move rather than a permanent transfer, which Terra suggests could be mutually beneficial. According to VOETBALZONE, the Brazilian clubs are interested in a loan deal that might include an option to purchase. Such an arrangement could allow the striker to regain his confidence and playing time while protecting Ajax’s significant financial investment.
While the prospect of a move has gained traction in the Brazilian press, there is currently no confirmation of formal negotiations between the parties. Brazilian sports André Hernan has said that a transfer remains unlikely, and it remains unclear whether Ajax would be willing to sanction a departure for the forward in January 2027, as reported by VoetbalPrimeur.
Leonardo, who is under contract with the Amsterdam club until 2031, recently provided a glimpse of his potential by scoring against FC Midtjylland in the Conference League. The goal was notably celebrated by his rival for the starting spot, Arokodare, highlighting the internal dynamics of the Ajax attack as the team approaches the winter break.
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