Ajax is working on the arrival of Brian Bobbey, Valentijn Driessen knows. The team from Amsterdam would like to hire the RB Leipzig striker in the coming transfer period to make up for the lack of first striker Sébastien Haller, who will most likely play at the Africa Cup. According to Driessen, Ajax would also be busy selling David Neres and bringing in Steven Bergwijn as his replacement.
Haller is in top form and was already in the national selection of Ivory Coast for the past World Cup qualifiers with Mozambique (November 13) and Cameroon (November 16). An election for the Africa Cup, which will take place in January 2022, therefore seems very likely. Driessen argues at Veronica Inside that Ajax has no worthy replacement for Haller. “Feyenoord has Cyriel Dessers, PSV has Carlos Vinicius, but Ajax simply has no one. Yes, Danilo, but he didn’t even succeed at Twente. So they need another striker.”
Driessen then quotes Brobbey. “They are working on him, they really want him.” The young striker made the transfer-free transfer to RB Leipzig last summer after long contract disputes, where he mainly keeps the bench warm. Brobbey has so far played eight games for the Germans and has not yet managed to score. Last Wednesday he earned his first base place, in the Champions League match that he won against Club Brugge (0-5).
However, Ajax has even more selection changes in mind, according to Driessen. “They would like to sell Neres in the winter and they are also working on bringing in Bergwijn. If our friend Neres leaves, you must of course have a replacement. And Bergwijn hardly gets a job at Tottenham.” Table companion René van der Gijp, however, sees a gloomy view of the wear and tear of Neres. “Nobody is going to buy it. Yes, rent with option to buy. And then pray that he does well.” Driessen agrees with those words. “Since he was injured, it’s nothing with him anymore.”