Sporting director Marc Overmars believes Steven Bergwijn would ‘love’ to leave Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur for Eredivisie champions Ajax, AD reporter Johan Inan explains.
In ten days’ time Erik ten Hag’s Ajax will travel to the Phillips Stadium for a crunch clash with title-rivals PSV.
And, should an in-form PSV defeat struggling Groningen this weekend, then Ajax will arrive in Eindhoven in a somewhat unfamiliar position; second in the table and playing the role of chasers rather than frontrunners.
But is Bergwijn the sort of signing capable of making the difference in the tightest of title battles? Ajax obviously think so, having submitted an opening bid of £15 million this week (The Times).
The 2019 Champions League semi-finals will return with a second offer in the coming days. And there’s a real chance that Bergwijn will replace Sebastien Haller as the most expensive signing in their history.
“Ajax has made a first offer,” confirms Inan, as translated by Voetbal Primeur.
“Some amounts have been mentioned. I will not mention that amount, because I do not know whether it is 18 million euros (£15 million). I have signals that Tottenham want a little more.”
Will Steven Bergwijn leave Tottenham for Ajax this week?
Tottenham are hoping to recoup as much of their £27 million outlay as possible.
Doing so will be easier said than done, however, given that the Dutch international has managed a paltry two goals in his last 57 Spurs games.
But Ajax – and their much-admired sporting director – obviously feel that Bergwijn can rediscover his golden touch in familiar surroundings, having begun his career at the Amsterdam giants before making his name at their arch rivals PSV.
“(Overmars) knows that Steven Bergwijn would love to go to Ajax, otherwise he would not take these steps,” Inan adds.
“I don’t think the negotiations will last very long. If Overmars can sign Bergwijn faster by offering half a million extra, then he will.
“Suppose it is completed in the course of this week or early next week, then Bergwijn can make his debut against PSV.”
Ajax sold David Neres to Shakhtar Donetsk this week, freeing up funds for a new Bergwijn bid.
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