The January transfer window is always an interesting time for football clubs. Only time can tell whether that brings negative or positive changes to club squads.
One transfer that could have a significant negative effect on the Ajax squad is highly-rated young defender Devyne Rensch. The club’s youth academy graduate is now being linked with a move to Premier League Everton.
Linked with a switch to Merseyside
According to Ziggo Sport, the Toffees’ new head coach, David Moyes, is keen on adding Rensch to his squad before the January transfer window closes.
It seems unlikely that the defender would wish to join a team competing near the bottom of the Premier League. However, with Moyes appointed manager and Everton moving to a new state-of-the-art stadium for next season, things are looking up for Everton.
It also seems that the men from Merseyside have received encouragement in their pursuit of the defender. Ajax director Alex Kroes recently admitted that Rensch could leave the club soon, either this month or in the summer.
Everton will undergo a rebuilding process in the summer, as 12 players are out of contract on Merseyside. Signing a highly rated young defender such as Rensch in January would undoubtedly be a good start to rebuilding an ageing and paper-thin squad.
Reportedly, Napoli and Marseille are eyeing a move for Rensch, while Roma has already seen a £4.2m bid rejected by the Amsterdam giants.
It is believed that Ajax wants double the offer, which in today’s modern prices is still a relatively modest fee for such a talented young player. Reports from the Italian press earlier in the week stated that Rensch had already agreed on personal terms with Roma. However, a deal won’t be done unless the Giallorossi up their offer.
Rensch will be a massive loss to Ajax
It seems inevitable that Rensch will leave Ajax in either the January transfer window or the summer. The 21-year-old is out of contract in the summer, so he is holding all the cards regarding his future.
Not only would it be a significant financial loss to lose him for a cut-price fee or even for no fee in the summer, but he is also a big loss on the pitch. This season, Rensch has played a big part in the team’s defensive improvement. In fact, he has been one of the team’s top performers.
Not only is the youngster a quality player, but he is also highly versatile, as he can play anywhere along the defensive line. This versatility can be highly valuable when building a squad, as it means you don’t need as many players.
For a player of his age, Rensch also has decent experience. He has already played over 150 games for Ajax in all competitions. Those appearances include playing in the Champions League and the Europa League. He certainly doesn’t lack experience.
Ajax have not learnt from their past mistakes
Ajax has been losing top-quality players for low fees and cut-price fees for far too long. In recent decades, the Dutch giants have lost some top-class talent for nothing because they haven’t been shrewd enough to tie players down on longer contracts or sell them at the right time to make a healthy profit.
The Amsterdam club has always been considered relatively strong in player trading, but it sometimes struggles to ensure a good price for players who are in danger of leaving.
In terms of value, Rensch would normally be one of the club’s most valuable. However, in current circumstances, the Amsterdam club looks set to make a big loss, both on and off the pitch.