After what was somewhat of a turbulent first half of the season for Ajax, which saw manager John Heitinga sacked, this club witnessed somewhat of a resurgence under caretaker boss Fred Grim.
As the club prepares to kick off the next part of the campaign, following the winter break, it sits just five points behind second-placed Feyenoord having beaten them 2-0 before Christmas.
Meanwhile, the January transfer window could well be of interest, with many clubs likely to be weighing up whether deals can be done.
Incomings Potentially On The Radar
It could well be that the club are exploring deals that could help them to at least secure second place, with PSV Eindhoven seemingly firmly in the driving position for the title, being 16 points ahead.
In his final month in charge, before Jordi Cruyff takes over, sporting director Alex Kroes will be hoping that he can do smart business to set the club up for a strong second part of the season.
As such, he will be likely targeting astute loan deals, low-fee transfers and savvy free agents having already added former Arsenal full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu on a smart free transfer in December.
There is a belief that a number six and full-backs are being considered, though as ever in January, finding the right players at the right place can prove to be tricky. Having made a lucrative summer move to Chelsea, many fans are dreaming of a loan deal for teenage full-back Jorrel Hato, who has barely featured for his new club. Much here will depend on what new Blues boss Liam Rosenior has in mind for the player.
FC Utrecht’s Souffian El Karouani, meanwhile, is understood to be an ambitious option, though his contract does expire at the end of the season. The 25-year-old leads the assists charts for defenders in the Eredivisie this term currently, though West Ham United are also understood to be monitoring the situation.
Speaking of which, Hammers midfielder Guido Rodriguez, 31, is thought to be on the radar of Kroes and his team to add experience to the centre of the pitch and on a free transfer, he could be a handy addition.
🚨🇦🇷 JUST IN: Ajax are interested in Guido Rodríguez, a 31-year old defensive midfielder from West Ham United.
The player is open to the move as he wants to go to the FIFA World Cup. #Ajax
[🎖️: @VI_nl] pic.twitter.com/07hh8Pdtkd
— Inside020 (@Inside_020) December 22, 2025
To add competition on the right wing, Groningen’s Jorg Schreuders has been linked while Everton left-back Adam Aznou is thought to have been looked at as a loan option.
Who Could Leave The Club This January?
It is fair to say that a few of the summer’s loan arrivals haven’t really performed for Ajax and there is an understanding that young Spanish winger, Raul Moro could be on his way back to La Liga, while James McConnell’s loan from Liverpool is reportedly being terminated because of a lack of playing time.
Anton Gaaei is understood to be subject of interest from Lazio and Paris FC with Ajax reportedly being open to offers, while a high profile departure could be Kenneth Taylor with Porto and Fenerbahce understood to be interest in a transfer for a fee in the region of £25 million.