Ajax miss out on Brian Rodríguez as he stays with Club América

Former Ajax prospect Brian Rodríguez has spoken openly about why his proposed move to the Dutch giants fell through, confirming that Ajax approached Club América in Mexico but the Uruguayan forward chose to remain with the Mexican side, where his contract runs until mid‑2029.

Ajax’s scouting department identified Rodríguez as a potential reinforcement for their attack, prompting the club to make an enquiry to Club América. The Dutch side hoped the 26‑year‑old could add depth ahead of the upcoming season, but no agreement materialised.

Negotiations and personal decision

"That was the offer that came closest to an actual departure," Rodríguez told Mexican sports channel TUDN when asked about a possible switch to Ajax. He added that the deal was “very good for both me and the club, a very good investment”, but stressed that “both parties must win in negotiations, otherwise no agreement”. He thanked several members of the Mexican club’s organisation for their support.

The news broke at the end of August, when Ajax’s approach became public while Club América were battling for the Leagues Cup. Rodríguez said both he and the Mexican side were convinced he should make the jump, aiming to help the team win the tournament.

He told coach Guillermo Almada and director of player policy Santiago Baños that the objective was to capture the Leagues Cup, but the club fell short, losing in the semi‑final. Rodríguez later explained that he asked his agent to slow down the process so he could focus on the competition, a move that coincided with the stalled negotiations.

Contract, market value and recent form

Rodríguez has been under contract with Club América since 2022, with his current deal running until mid‑2029. Transfermarkt values him at twelve million euros.

In the current season he featured six times, netting three goals and providing one assist. His contributions have been praised by teammates for their impact in crucial matches.

Reflecting on the aborted transfer, Rodríguez said he decided to stay at the ‘biggest club’ to enjoy daily happiness, work with pleasure and be among teammates he considers family. He also acknowledged the efforts of chairman Emilio Azcárraga and Santiago Baños, who worked enormously on his behalf.