.jpg){kind=link}
It is fair to say that the interest in Welsh football club Wrexham has shot through the roof in the years since the Red Dragons were bought by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
The launch of the TV series Welcome to Wrexham on Disney Plus won the club some more supporters, whilst the injection of cash offered by the pair has allowed them to climb out of non-league football to the Championship. They have their sights set on the Premier League next, with the hope being that Ajax’s Sivert Mannsverk could help them to achieve it if they can sign him this summer.
Who is Sivert Mannsverk?
It isn’t exactly outrageous to suggest that even some Ajax supporters might not be particularly clued in on who, exactly, Sivert Mannsverk actually is. Born in the Norwegian village of Øvre Årdal on the eighth of May 2002, he joined Sogndal as a youth player and began making his way through the ranks there. He made it into the first-team in 2019, making 51 league appearances for them and scoring six goals. At that point, one of the country’s top clubs in Molde decided to take a chance on him, moving there in 2021 and also making over 50 league appearances for them, scoring five times.
That was enough to convince Ajax to sign him, getting him tied down with a five-year contract at the start of September 2023. He made his debut in an away match against FC Twente on the 17th of September, but an injury to his foot area disrupted his start at the Johan Cruyff ArenA. After being sidelined for several months, he retuned to action with Ajax Jong initially, getting him some match fitness. When limited appearances were available to him in the Ajax first-team towards the end of the 2023-2024 season and the start of the 2024-2025 campaign, a loan move was agreed for him with Cardiff City.
Why Ajax Don’t Want to Keep Him
Given the fact that the club got Mannsverk to sign a five-year contract, the obvious question to ask would be why it is that de Godenzonen are willing to let him go this summer. The answer almost certainly comes tied up in what happened at the end of last season and the repercussions thereof. As the campaign was reaching its conclusion, it seemed as though Ajax had the title sewn up. When they defeated PSV Eindhoven with seven games left, the club didn’t need to do much to ensure that the Eredivisie was to return to the Johan Cruyff ArenA, only to see it slip through their fingers.
SIVERT MANNSVERK TO WREXHAM?! 👀🚨
Wrexham AFC are in talks to sign Ajax midfielder Sivert Mannsverk. ✍️
The Norwegian spent the second half of last season on loan at Cardiff City making 14 appearances. 🇳🇴
[Via: Pete O’Rourke]
#WxmAFC 🔴⚪️
— Pure Wrexham (@purewrexham.bsky.social) 18 July 2025 at 12:33
After losing three of their remaining games and drawing two, the title became PSV’s to lose. They didn’t, getting the win they required on the final day in order to ensure that there was nothing that Ajax could do to win the title. The result is that the manager, Francesco Farioli, departed at the end of the season and several players have been let go this summer. Although Mannsverk was at Cardiff City when things fell apart, it is likely that the new head coach, John Heitinga, wants to bring in as many of his own players as possible. The result of that is that the money made from selling Mannsverk is worth more than the player.
A Good Deal For All Parties
Given Ajax’s desire to completely revamp the squad, the sale of Mannsverk to Wrexham is one that will be suitable for both him and the club. Add into that the fact that Wrexham will be signing a midfielder with Championship experience, having played for the Blue Birds 14 times in the league last season, and it’s easy to see why it is that everyone will feel as though they’ll be getting a good deal out of the situation. Wrexham are reportedly willing to spend as much as £4 million, which will also help them to stave off interest in the player from Blackburn Rovers, who are themselves eyeing a return to the top-flight.
Wrexham are looking to make moves to not only cement their place in the Championship, but also get themselves involved in the conversation to earn promotion to the Premier League. There are rumours that the club are looking to splash the cash on a defender from Empoli, as well as on Hull City’s Alfie Jones. Having spent £1 million for the first time last season when they signed Sam Smith from Reading, Wrexham know that it will take a solid amount of investment in order to get the club to the top of the English game. With Ajax seemingly happy to let Mannsverk go, it’s a chance to add experience in a position Wrexham need to strengthen.