Ajax's all‑in push: Cruijff pulls financial tricks, PSV did it too

Inside Ajax’s training ground at dusk, technical director Jordi Cruijff signs a decisive plan: the club will go "all‑in" on the transfer market, a move he says mirrors a trick once used by PSV – a claim that sparked immediate debate.

Cruijff explained that Ajax will employ several financial manoeuvres, notably pulling forward future transfer income to fund immediate purchases. He disclosed the approach during a conversation with De ‑verslaggever Valentijn Driessen on Tuesday evening.

The summer already saw Ajax add Caio Henrique and Daley Blind to the squad, while the arrivals of Marc‑André ter Stegen and Marcos Leonardo are imminent. For the Brazilian (Braziliaanse) striker, the Amsterdamers (Amsterdammers) have agreed to pay a total of nineteen million euros, historically: "They are spending nineteen million now, but they also received twenty‑seven million for Sean Steur, often in instalments. They have also cut salaries, letting go of players with huge contracts."

Driessen added another layer to the strategy, citing clubwatcher Mike Verweij. He said Ajax is likely to bring forward income still owed from former sales, such as Antony, using those funds now to invest and keep the team competitive for the top places.

Cruijff himself has voiced the ambition to fight for the league title, insisting that Ajax must go all‑in or risk a revolving door of coaches and technical directors. "If we don’t invest fully, the next trainer will be in charge and the next technical director will follow," Driessen quoted him saying.

The journalist noted that Deed PSV employed a similar method: they sold the ground beneath their stadium and training complex, then reinvested heavily. "Now there is a surge of enthusiasm," Driessen concluded, drawing a clear parallel between Ajax’s current plan and PSV’s earlier financial gamble.