When the Ajax faithful stroll through the corridors of the Johan Cruijff Arena, the question stirring in every boardroom and fan conversation is: Who should Ajax sell this summer to balance ambition and sustainability? In a period of flux and financial recalibration, Ajax stand at a crossroads. With rising salaries, player demands, and buyer interest from Europe’s elite, it’s time for DuitKick to dissect which departures make sense — and which would sting too much to accept.
Ajax’s 2025 context: challenge, opportunity, and constraints
Ajax enters the 2025–26 season in a state of transition. Success on the pitch has slowed relative to expectations, staff changes loom, and the club faces the perennial balancing act of nurturing talent while turning profits. Their recent transfer summary shows that although several players have departed, the club still needs fresh cash and roster flexibility. (Transfers in and out are being monitored closely.)
Pressure is mounting to generate revenue. Thus, smart sales become not signs of weakness but strategic pivots. The key is: Ajax must ask which exits validate reinvestment and which weaken the core. Who should Ajax sell is not merely a question of price tags, but of timing, squad balance, and trajectory.
Candidates most likely to leave
Below I run through the strongest candidates to be sold, weighing their value, risks, and whether Ajax can afford their departure.
Jorrel Hato — already out the door
This one isn’t hypothetical: Ajax have accepted a deal and confirmed Jorrel Hato’s departure to Chelsea for around €44.18 million. (The defender had been under contract until 2028.) Reports indicate Ajax initially resisted lower offers but relented after Hato expressed strong desire to leave.
His exit represents both a loss in defensive depth and a massive cash injection. Ajax clearly judged that the price and the player’s motivation made the sale unavoidable.
Brian Brobbey — the striker with leverage
Brobbey’s been long linked with a move away. In the 2025–26 window he has already left Ajax, with a fee around €20 million. While the club might prefer to keep his goals, Ajax must weigh potential replacements and timing: selling while demand is high is often shrewd.
Kenneth Taylor — a midfield pivot with tempting offers
The most debated name when considering who should Ajax sell is midfield maestro Kenneth Taylor. He’s been linked with several clubs, and recent reports suggest Ajax might be open to letting him go — especially if a suitor meets their valuation.
Taylor remains under contract, but Ajax’s financial picture and the logic of selling before contract renewal pressures suggest that this might be the moment to cash in if offers arrive.
Jordan Henderson — weighing on wage vs output
At age 35, Henderson brings experience, but his on-field returns are diminishing. He has already left Ajax. The decision underscores that high-profile names aren’t immune when balance sheets and squad planning take precedence.
Players Ajax should hold on to — not sell
Understanding who should Ajax sell also means knowing who they shouldn’t. Here are core players whose presence remains vital.
Young talents with room to grow
Ajax’s DNA revolves around youth development. Players like Mika Godts — a winger/attacker — represent future upside and shouldn’t be sold prematurely. Similarly, academy graduates and young regulars help maintain the club’s identity and continuity.
Key stabilizers
Parts of the spine — central defenders, central midfield anchors, or versatile wing-backs — are harder to replace. Ajax must avoid undermining team chemistry by stringing exits together in one window.
Strategic guidelines: when and how to sell
Selling stars is easy; selling wisely is hard. Here are the principles Ajax should follow in deciding who should Ajax sell:
- Sell at peak demand
- Get offers when player value is high — not just when the market dips. The Hato deal showed Ajax can resist and negotiate until the price is right.
- Stagger exits
- Avoid mass departures in one window — that’s how squads collapse. Ajax should pace sales to maintain cohesion.
Protect squad balance
- Don’t sell both a star midfielder and a lead striker and a defender — keep at least a nucleus.
- Have replacements lined up
- Ajax must ensure that every major exit has a prospective replacement or internal candidate ready to step up.
- Leverage contract timing
- If players are close to contract expiry, selling earlier is often better. If they have years left, maintain negotiating power.
Prediction: who will leave, who will stay
Based on current deals and market whispers, here’s how I assess likely outcomes:
- Gone: Jorrel Hato (moved), Brian Brobbey (already sold), Jordan Henderson (departed)
- Very likely: Kenneth Taylor
- Less likely: Core youngsters and stability players like Godts and select defenders
Thus, in answering who should Ajax sell, the case is strongest for Taylor (if a big bid arrives) and any fringe players whose roles can be replaced or who are surplus to plans.
Conclusion
Who should Ajax sell cannot be answered by one generic rule — it’s a nuanced balancing act. Ajax’s optimum plan is clear: sell when the price is right, negotiate diligently, and protect the squad’s competitive core. Too many exits at once, or selling rising stars prematurely, could hollow the team just when fans expect forward momentum.
If you enjoyed this breakdown from DuitKick on who Ajax should sell, stick around — next, we’ll project who Ajax should buy, and simulate their optimal 2025–26 squad.
