Ajax face summer exodus

Ajax are reportedly facing a serious possibility of a mass exodus come the end of the season.

The team which shocked the world last season by knocking the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus out of the Champions League before suffering a heart-breaking exit in the semi-finals, all that while on their way to a domestic double, had understandably attracted much attention as rich clubs around Europe came for a peck at their players. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong made his move to Barcelona and Matthijs de Ligt joined Juventus last summer, and now Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Hakim Ziyech.

And David Ornstein of The Athletic believes that the Morocco international’s imminent exit is a sign of things to come. Apparently, the journalist has learned that there are at least four more players angling for a move away from the Johan Cruyff Arena this summer – goalkeeper Andre Onana, left-back Nicolas Tagliafico, and midfielders Donny van de Beek and David Neres. Defenders Daley Blind, Joel Veltman, Noussair Mazraoui and Sergino Dest could leave as well.

Van de Beek is likely to be the main story, with Real Madrid regularly credited with strong interest.