In August, a source speaking on behalf of Quincy Promes told The Sun the Ajax winger would jump at the chance to sign for Arsenal.
But, after a six month spell the Dutch international won’t look back on with much fondness, a move to one of England’s biggest clubs now feels little more than a pipe dream.
The Sun reported Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was a big fan of Promes and, at the time, Ajax wanted £25 million for a winger who produced 16 goals in 28 games during the curtailed 2019/20 campaign.
Half a year later, that same player could be heading to Russia for nothing. Ajax are in talks to terminate Promes’ contract, with Spartak Moscow desperate to reunite with a man who fired them to Russian Premier League glory in 2017.
“We are continuing negotiations with Spartak on Quincy. We have had some (problems) but we are optimistic,” Ajax’s sporting director – and former Highbury hero – Marc Overmars tells Soccer.ru.
“It is difficult to say so far what the outcome of the talks will be. We still have a little over a week before the winter transfer window closes in Russia. Perhaps we will still be able to agree.”
With former AZ Alkmaar talisman Oussama Idrissi joining from Sevilla to fill Promes’ place on the left wing, Ajax are clearly planning for life without their £16 million speed-machine.
But why have things fallen apart so dramatically for Promes only months after Arsenal came calling and the the Dutch giants were demanding £25 million?
Well, some rather high-profile events off the field – which we won’t go into here – certainly haven’t helped. But Promes’ performances on the pitch have been a major disappointment too.
Promes has started only ten of Ajax’s 21 Eredivisie games this season and, while a tally of six goals may look respectable on paper, few players in Holland have missed as many chances as Promes.
With the opportunities that have come his way, he should be in line for the Golden Boot, the driving force behind another Ajax title charge.
Instead, he’s leaving through the back door after a stunning fall from grace.
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