The financial situation at Ajax is more worrying than people think, says Mike Verweij in the football podcast Kick-off by The Telegraph. According to the journalist, this is known within the club, but not outside the club. Verweij knows that Ajax's possibilities on the transfer market are limited.

According to Verweij, the transfer rumor about Daniele Rugani (Juventus) does not come out of the blue. “That is a name that pops up, but many more names will pop up around Ajax in the near future. That is because Ajax is making contact with many players, because the club is in a difficult split.”

“Internally, that is slowly starting to sink in,” Verweij continues. “But Ajax’s financial situation is simply much worse than everyone thinks and knows. Internally, that realization is coming, but externally, and especially among the fans, it is not yet.”

Verweij then comes up with an example. “This morning I was told that if Ajax sells for 120 million euros, they can reinvest about 50 million. In addition, at least a third of all salaries must be reduced.”

“Otherwise Ajax will go 120 kilometers per hour towards the ravine and then the club's existence will be in danger. There has been a totally irresponsible policy, which has been approved by the commissioners. That has just been poker,” says Verweij.

Rumors

Rugani's name is definitely mentioned at Ajax, Verweij confirms after his speech. “But there are now twenty names on a list. Contacts are also being made and agents are being called to ask about the situation with some players. Ajax really has to anticipate, because many players are also going to slip through Ajax's fingers because they cannot or are not allowed to do anything yet.”

Ajax supporters will have to be patient. “Only when a number of players have been sold, Ajax can reinvest a very small part. Only then will things start to change. So contact has been made with Rugani, but also with five other central defenders, because there is a good chance that he will no longer be available in a week. That is very painful. It will really be a very difficult year for Ajax.”

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