Ajax ace Nico Tagliafico is once again the subject of speculation surrounding his future at the Johan Cruijff Arena. And while head coach Erik Ten Hag contemplates losing yet another key player in the Sons of the Gods, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard will be rubbing his hands with glee at the potential of recruiting another player in the Amsterdam giants.
The Blues aren’t the only suitors, however. None other than Lionel Messi has gone on record to ask the board of directors at Barcelona to snap up his fellow countryman but Chelsea, too, are said to be in the race.
One way or another, it is not great news for Ajax, the possibility of losing another talented player looms large. The summer could specify Ten Hag’s transfer priorities as he seems to shape his squad before next season’s campaign.
Ten Hag and his squad are now in a mini-lockdown because of the coronavirus as Ajax and the rest of the Dutch nation await news of when soccer might return to the Eredivisie since the Covid-19 pandemic sweeps the planet.
The Premier League side have already lured Morocco winger Hakim Ziyech into Stamford Bridge in a deal worth in the region of about £38million. Now they are set to test the resolve of Ajax with a £25million bid for the Argentinian left-back, who’s aged 27.
Tagliafico, who has made 25 international caps for Argentina, delighted Ajax fans last summer when he confirmed his commitment to the cause for one more season. At the time he said:
“I wish to tell you that I will stay for one more season. Hopefully, it’ll be a great year. Like it’s this year.”
But with a contract that runs out in 2022 a year down the line, it might well suit both Tagliafico and Ajax to make the move. Arsenal were originally said to be keen on the services of the protector but the Gunners went out and splashed £25million last summer on Glasgow Celtic left-back Kieren Tierney.
Chelsea have more need for a defender on the left-hand, with coach Lampard said to be ready to ease aside Cesar Azpilicueta from the berth. His talent alerted clubs then and that interest hasn’t waned seemingly.
Meanwhile, Ajax have verified they have put on hold the parties that they had planned to mark the club’s 120th birthday. With the restrictions on gatherings imposed in light of the coronavirus issues, chief executive officer Edwin van der Sar confirmed on the club’s official website that the plans were on ice.
