Ajax has yet to start their summer recruitment, which includes appointing a new head coach and adding new players to the playing squad.
đ´âŞď¸đłđą Talks between Wout Weghorst and Ajax on personal terms are already very advanced, all parties are confident to make the deal happen.
Negotiations to follow with Burnley but Ajax are now increasingly optimistic to bring Weghorst at the club. pic.twitter.com/uUgcPHKe8D
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 19, 2024
Renowned Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported on X that Ajax is in advanced negotiations with Burnley for the acquisition of the Netherlands international striker Wout Weghorst.
Weghorst has become the Netherlands âSuper-subâ
The giant forward is currently at Euro2024 with the national team. He once again proved his worth as a super sub for the Oranje against Poland, scoring a late winning goal in a 2-1 win.
Weghorstâs status as a âsuper-subâ seems to be well-established after he scored several goals off the substitutesâ bench in recent games.
Head coach Ronald Koeman reportedly told him that he would not start, yet he still maintained a positive attitude towards his international career.
Before his goal against Poland, he had also stepped off the bench to score goals against Canada and Iceland. He also has a history of finding the net from the bench in past tournaments for the Oranje.
In fact, he is only the second Netherlands player after Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to come off the bench and score in three straight games.
It is difficult to argue with his record of seven goals in his last 11 appearances for his country. The fact that seven of his 12 international goals for Oranje have come from the bench illustrates his usefulness as an impact player.
He divides opinion in the Netherlands
Despite his goals for the Netherlands, Weghorst seems to divide opinion in his homeland. He works hard, and at 6-foot-6, he is a good target man, especially useful when needing a late goal to score or bring other players into play.
However, the former Wolfsburg star also has critics who donât appreciate his personality or the theatre he often brings to a game.
An unconvincing spell in his career
In truth, many observers may have a reason for doubting Weghorst. His recent career stats have been inconsistent lately, as he has become a bit of a journeyman forward.
Weghorst was prolific at both AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie and then in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg.
@bundesliga The fastest WOUT to goal! đ #bundesliga #fussball @VfL Wolfsburg
Since leaving the Wolves in season 2021/22, the forward has played for Burnley, Manchester United, Besiktas and most recently Hoffenheim.
He struggled for goals at Burnley, scoring just two goals in the Premier League for the Clarets, while failing to find the back of the net during a loan spell at Manchester United.
He was slightly more potent in Turkey, scoring eight goals before a seven-goal haul for Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga last season.
Ajax could be the home he needs
Wout Weghorst comes across as a player looking for a place to call home after a football journey that has taken in enough clubs in recent years.
Ajax could be just that club. He is a player that the fans of the Amsterdam outfit could very easily grow to love. He will give his all, which all supporters love, and most importantly, he will likely score goals in the Eredivisie.
The fact that he hasnât always started games has not helped Weghorstâs cause in recent seasons. Maybe he needs a proper run of games in a team to rediscover the prolific goalscoring form from his days at AZ or even Wolfsburg.
Dutch starlet Brian Brobbey is currently the first-choice striker at Ajax. That situation is unlikely to change if the youngster stays with the Dutch capital club.
However, he is reportedly a man in demand this summer after a prolific campaign in front of goal. It would not be a massive surprise to see the forward leave, as has been the tradition of Ajax with talented young players over the years.
If Brobbey leaves, Weghorst would more likely be the first-choice striker at the club, and he could prove that he is still a prolific goalscoring.
However, if Brobbey stays, then he could find himself in a similar position that he has at other clubs, where he isnât necessarily considered first choice.
As he has proven with the Netherlands team, he can still be an asset off the bench, though.
The signing makes sense for Ajax
This deal makes sense for Ajax and the player, too. Wout Weghorst is an experienced forward who will work hard and more than likely score goals in the Eredivisie, which isnât quite the same standard as the Premier League or the Bundesliga.
Even when he hasnât been scoring goals, he has been a handy out ball to have for his team. Ajax wonât want to play long-ball football, but Weghorst is more than just a lumbering giant. He also has decent technical ability.
If, as reported, the forward could be joining for a cut-price fee this summer, Weghorstâs signing could well be a solid start to summer recruitment as Ajax looks to rebuild their squad after a woeful campaign in Eredivisie.
Will Wout Weghorst be a good signing for Ajax?