AFC Ajax has thoroughly renovated its squad this summer with a financial strategy focused on low transfer fees and higher salaries. Technical director Jordi Cruijff explained this approach in a report by NOS Sport, labelling the past transfer window as 'risk-minimizing'.
The Amsterdam side currently sits fourth in the Eredivisie with seven points from three games and a +6 goal difference. They trail leaders AZ Alkmaar by five points. The next challenge is an away match against FC Twente on November 8th, an opponent currently in eighth place. The full league schedule can be found on our standings page.
How did Ajax finance the summer signings?
Jordi Cruijff, Ajax's technical director, stated that eight of the eleven summer arrivals came on free transfers or loans. This flexibility was a deliberate choice. To create financial space, the contracts of Chuba Akpom, Ahmetcan Kaplan and Sivert Mannsverk were terminated. This removed their salaries and depreciation from the books. The biggest expenditure was the approximately twenty million euros for Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo, who signed a five-year contract. That investment is amortised over that period, costing around four million euros per year.
Jos Berden of Ajax Financials analysed the strategy. "It seems Cruijff has said: for annual costs, we prefer to spend our money on salaries rather than purchases," Berden said. This approach contrasts with the policy under former director Alex Kroes, which aimed for a salary cap of 2.5 million euros per player. This cap was exceeded multiple times this summer.
Which players have strengthened the Ajax squad?
The summer brought a mix of experience and young talent to Amsterdam. Alongside the record signing Marcos Leonardo, Ajax also brought in Julian Brandt, Marc ter Stegen and Sofyan Amrabat. Defenders Caio Henrique and Thilo Kehrer arrived from AS Monaco, a club based in a tax haven. For players like Kehrer and Simon Adingra, who are expected to replace the departed Kamal Sowah and Francis Godts, loan deals were chosen. This gives the club the option to avoid being tied to long-term contracts. The current team composition can be followed on our squad page.
What are the objectives for the current season?
The immediate objective is clear: direct competition with PSV Eindhoven and an improved position in the Eredivisie. Coach Míchel began his new tenure, a moment compared to Francesco Farioli's start against Vojvodina. The club must generate sufficient revenue from future player sales and replace the temporary loanees, regardless of whether Champions League football is achieved. Cruijff stressed that the focus is on immediate performance, in line with his character and the club's DNA.
Financial health remains a point of attention, but the early on-field results are encouraging. Ajax started the season with two wins and a draw (WDW), scoring eight goals while conceding only two. The next test is the away match against FC Twente on November 8th, a important fixture in the run-up to the winter break. The full schedule up to that point is on our fixtures overview.
