Erik ten Hag will ‘definitely’ fight to keep Nicolas Tagliafico at Ajax past the transfer window amid reported interest from Newcastle United and Napoli, via quotes by Calciomercato.
Tagliafico has been weighing up his future in Amsterdam this month, after falling down Ten Hag’s pecking order. The 29-year-old made just his 15th appearance of the season so far as de Godenzonen beat amateur outfit Excelsior Maassluis 9-0 in the KNVB Cup on Thursday.
The Johan Cruijff ArenA tie also marked only Tagliafico’s sixth start across all competitions this term. Instead, Ten Hag has favoured Daley Blind or Lisandro Martinez as his left-back.
Napoli have strived to seize on Tagliafico’s situation at Ajax to secure a loan transfer for the Argentine this month. The Serie A side have requested to sign the 36-cap international for the remainder of the season with an option to buy. But Ajax would prefer to sell him now.
Newcastle have also kept close tabs on Tagliafico’s situation at Ajax, in view of a transfer to Tyneside. The Daily Mail report the Toon lodged an enquiry into the full-back’s availability this month. Eddie Howe lined the 2023 free agent up as a potential backup to Lucas Digne.
Ajax boss Ten Hag deals Newcastle blow with Tagliafico transfer stance
Tagliafico is ready to join Napoli if they agree a deal with Ajax for the Newcastle target’s transfer, per TuttoMercatoWEB. But de Godenzonen want €7m (£6m) for a permanent move, per TyC Sports, as his contract expires in 17-months’ time.
Yet Ten Hag will fight to keep Tagliafico at Ajax and from the transfer clutches of Napoli and Newcastle. As while the defender has not held a key role in his plans this season, Tagliafico remains a needed presence. But staying put will require patience to wait for more minutes.
“I will definitely fight to keep him,” Ten Hag said. “We have seven defenders with him and without him, our staff will be too small. But I certainly know that it is important for him that he can play.
“You have to provide professionalism, and he shows it. Yesterday, he played, bringing a lot of drive, passion and quality. He has to work hard in training, be patient and be ready.”
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