Dusan Tadic has given his view on the potential departure of teammate Nicolas Tagliafico, telling Voetbal International Ajax may have already found the ideal replacement for the Leeds United target.
It’s no secret, at this stage, that the diminutive left-back is unlikely to spend a fourth season at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
According to AS, Leeds have made contact regarding a deal that would see Tagliafico swap Amsterdam for Elland Road to the tune of £14 million.
And, with director of football Marc Overmars insisting Ajax won’t stand in his way should the all-action Argentine wish to prove himself in one of Europe’s major leagues at the age of 28, it looks as though Tagliafico has played his last game in the iconic red-and-white shirt.
The newly crowned Eredivisie champions are the undisputed masters when it comes to replacing star players, however.
And Ajax have wasted little time in identifying AZ Alkmaar’s swashbuckling speedster Owen Wijndal as Tagliafico’s heir – a decision Tadic is backing to the hilt (Telegraaf).
“Where we have to strengthen ourselves depends a bit on who is going to leave. If Nico were to leave, I think Owen Wijndal might be a good successor,” says the former Southampton playmaker.
“(Wijndal) is a great player and would be a good fit for Ajax. Ajax would also be a good step for his development – but we’ll see.
“If Nico stays, that would be great too.”
Netherlands international Wijndal certainly isn’t short of Dutch courage.
Speaking to VI this month, Wijndal insisted he, not Tagliafico, was the best left-back in the Eredivisie.
Wijndal would certainly be under pressure to live up to that lofty billing if he did leave AZ for Ajax.
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