According Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar, has confirmed that the Dutch club do have agreements with both Andre Onana and Nicolas Tagliafico so they can leave when the transfer window reopens.
The pair, along with Donny van de Beek, were tipped to depart the Johan Cruyff Arena last summer but van der Sar says they all committed for a further twelve months:
“Last year, we made verbal agreements with Onana, Tagliafico, Van de Beek to stay another season and then we look to help each other and find the next step in their careers. Nothing has changed.”
The global health crisis will likely deflate the transfer market but it looks as though Ajax will be playing hardball if any club comes in for their players.
Chelsea have already signed Hakim Ziyech from the Eredivisie side in recent months, but Onana and Tagliafico are also said to be on the club’s radar.
Onana is reportedly being considered as a potential replacement for number one goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga while Tagliafico is one of a number of names mentioned as a potential option to strengthen at left-back.