Ajax is no longer interested in the services of Philippe Sandler. Due to the shift in focus to Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, the Amsterdammers have dropped their interest in the NEC player, reports journalist Tim van Duijn on behalf of Football International.

On Wednesday it was announced that Ajax is fully committed to the arrival of Rugani. The 29-year-old defender, who is allowed to leave Juventus, must become the new leader of the Amsterdam defense.

Ajax may have also seen that role reserved for Sandler, who, like Rugani, is a right-footed central defender. However, Van Duijn reports that the NEC player is a thing of the past.

No, Sandler is no longer an option for Ajax. He was

— Tim van Duijn (@TimvanDuijn14) July 3, 2024

“No, Sandler is no longer an option for Ajax. He was,” Van Duijn replied to a X-user who asks him about the status of the interest.

In late April it became clear that both Ajax and PSV had Sandler in their sights after his impressive season at NEC. As leader of the Nijmegen defence, the 27-year-old man-marker narrowly missed out on European football and the TOTO KNVB Cup with his club.

Ajax does have other alternatives in mind, should Rugani prove unfeasible. The seven-time Italian international still has a two-year contract in Turin. Van Duijn does not reveal which alternatives he is talking about.

In any case, there is no more confidence in a resurrection of Josip Sutalo in Amsterdam. Ajax would prefer to sell the Croat, although he himself is aiming for revenge under Francesco Farioli. Sutalo cost the Amsterdammers 21 million euros last summer.

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