Ajax’s hard‑line budget test forces Jordi Cruijff’ to pause spending

Jordi Cruijff’ cannot simply spend the millions earmarked for Mika Godts because Ajax still needs to sell players to satisfy the transfer wishes of coach Míchel and the technical director. The club’s financial strategy now hinges on outgoing deals before any new arrivals can be funded.

Conversation with Noa Lang and the Godts saga

The Algemeen Dagblad reported: “At the end of the preparation Jordi Cruijff spoke extensively with Noa Lang. The Ajax‑trained Napoli‑aanvaller was firmly praised and bombarded as a top candidate should Godts leave. Lang already sees a reunion possible.” The report adds that Godts is now gone, but questions remain about how quickly the international will return.

Sale of Godts and budget realities

Godts has been sold for a total package of 55 million euro to PSG, meaning Ajax could theoretically spend again, but the transfer budget is separate from the salary budget. The salary line, which also covers signing bonuses and loyalty bonuses, has barely decreased.

Ajax’s leadership worries that more expensive players could be added while the squad already overflows with costly contracts, a situation the club wants to avoid, according to the AD. Players such as Ahmetcan Kaplan (NEC) and Don Angelo Konadu (Lommel SK) are heading for a transfer, and others like Josip Sutalo, Ko Itakura, Owen Wijndal and Kasper Dolberg may also depart.

Consequently, Cruijff must wait for one or more outgoing transfers before acting. The medium notes that this does not mean Lang will not return; on the contrary, a permanent move looks less likely without the exit of relatively pricey players, making a loan deal a more logical option to keep salary and amortisation costs manageable.

Ajax is also scouting beyond a Godts replacement, with a ‘six’ and an additional winger listed on the wish list. Fans may have to endure stress up to the early‑September deadline as the club balances sales and purchases.