AFC Ajax is a famous European club. It has a rich heritage. The group sets norms for how other elite teams in Africa develop young players. Total football produces elite players every year. European teams are vying for young Ajax talent.
Dutch giants have traded some successful athletes in the past. In keeping with tradition, the team just sold Lisandro Martinez to Manchester United. Ajax identifies potential, develops it, and removes career impediments for its players. The team has made a lot of money from player sales. Below are the Top 10 most expensive club departures:
Table of Contents
9. Luis Suarez – €26.50m
At Ajax, Luis Suarez made his mark as a star player in European club football. In the 2010-11 season, the club received €26.5 million from Liverpool to acquire the services of the striker. The 35-year-old scored 111 goals and sent out 66 assists in 157 games for Ajax. After another fantastic performance at Anfield, it was no surprise to see Suarez go on to rake in goals for fun with FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
8. Sebastian Haller – €31.00m
After signing for Ajax from West Ham United, Sebastian Haller quickly became a fan favourite. Ahead of the 2022-23 season, the striker signed with Borussia Dortmund after hitting 47 goals in 65 appearances for the Dutch club. Paying €31m for the 28-year-old services was not cheap for the German Bundesliga club.
7. Arkadiusz Milik – €32.00m
Another top striker who departed for a reasonable sum is Arkadiusz Milik. The Polish striker first joined Ajax on loan from Bayer Leverkusen in 2014, but his stay at the club eventually became permanent. In 75 games with Ajax, he contributed 47 goals and 21 assists. The 28-year-old cost SSC Napoli €32 million when he joined in 2016-17.
6. Donny van de Beek – €39.00m
In the 2020-21 season, Manchester United paid Ajax €39m to acquire Donny van de Beek from their roster. The midfielder played a pivotal role in helping Erik ten Hag’s team go to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in the 2018-2019 season, where they ultimately lost to eventual champions Juventus. For the 2022-23 season.
5. Hakim Ziyech – €40.00m
While playing for AFC Ajax, Hakim Ziyech was only one of several players that showed professionalism. Ajax paid €11 million to acquire the winger from FC Twente in 2016. His subsequent transfer to Premier League club Chelsea for €40 million netted a healthy profit for the Dutch club. Ziyech appeared in 164 games for Ajax, scoring 49 goals and dishing out 80 assists.
4. Davinson Sanchez – €42.00m
When compared to the sale prices of other Ajax defenders, Davinson Sanchez is among the most costly. When he signed with Tottenham Hotspur as a 21-year-old in 2017-18, he commanded a transfer fee of €42 million, making him the third most expensive player in the club’s history. The Colombian international is still one of Spurs’ most promising players.
3. Lisandro Martinez – €57.37m
AFC Ajax has lost another star player as Lisandro Martinez signs with a top European club. A transfer to Manchester United was finalized for the 2022-23 season, where the defender is currently playing. New club manager Erik ten Hag sees him as pivotal to his goals for the team. That’s why MUFC shelled out €57.37m to bring him to Old Trafford
2. Matthijs de Ligt – €85.50m
The team’s captain, Matthijs de Ligt, led them on their historic run in the UEFA Champions League in 2019–20. The defender displayed exceptional leadership and game awareness even at a young age. Juve FC paid a whopping €85.5m to sign De Ligt in 2020, when he was being heralded as a future superstar. The footballer has recently transferred to FC Bayern Munich from the Old Lady.
1. Frenkie de Jong – €86.00m
Matthijs de Ligt wasn’t the only player to depart Ajax around that time; Frenkie de Jong also switched teams. The €86 million transfer fee made the midfielder the most expensive player ever to leave Ajax. He is now playing for FC Barcelona. As big as his talent is, it can’t be denied that the athlete is well worth his salary. Manchester United is currently willing to pay over €80 million to sign him