Amid links with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, the potential of a free transfer switch to the Premier League for a footballer of such value and potential is not going down too well.
Still only 21, capped by one of the biggest footballing nations in Europe, and versatile enough to play anywhere across the backline, in another world Ajax would be looking for in excess of £20 million.
But, as Liverpool and Tottenham join Barcelona in keeping tabs on young Devyne Rensch, the Dutch giants have put themselves in a rather difficult position.
Now, Ajax have been one of the most successful ‘selling clubs’ in the game over the last decade.
All ten of their most expensive ever departures have come since the summer of 2017, from Frenkie de Jong to Davinson Sanchez, from Donny van de Beek to Manchester United’s £82 million forgotten man Antony.
Rensch should really be a candidate to join that list.
But, while the Dutchman’s form has admittedly left a lot to be desired of late, reporter Valentijn Driessen simply cannot believe that Ajax have allowed his contract to run down. So much so that the January window is now Ajax’s last chance to enjoy any sort of a windfall.
Devyne Rensch of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v PEC Zwolle at the Johan Cruijff Arena on November 24, 2024 in Amsterdam Ne...
Photo by Jeroen van den Berg/Soccrates/Getty Images
Ajax slammed as Liverpool and Tottenham eye Devyne Rensch bargain
“That’s very stupid,” Driessen says on De Telegraaf’s Kick Off podcast. “From a business perspective, it’s stupid to let a player who was with the Dutch national team walk out the door for free.
“Given his game and the form he has had over the past two years, it is completely understandable that you sit down with him [to discuss a new deal] very late. But, in business terms, you always have to secure a transfer fee.
“Ajax is in the process of making cutbacks, and perhaps this is part of that. You can sit down with someone ten times, but if you still can’t offer what someone wants, then there is no point.”
Rensch is reportedly a long-time Liverpool target. The Premier League leaders were linked back in 2023 as well. Former Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar coach Arne Slot obviously knows the Ajax academy graduate pretty well from his time in the Eredivisie too.
Rensch, while he has been utilised at centre-half and at left-back in the past, has played exclusively on the right this season. As Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool contract runs down too – both players facing a very uncertain future – Rensch may just have been identified as a potential successor.
Although, as Conor Bradley shone during Liverpool’s win over Real Madrid in midweek, Slot may already have that post-Trent solution at his fingertips.
Rensch admits he is likely to leave Dutch giants Ajax in 2025
Rensch played the full 90 minutes as Ajax lost 2-0 to Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday night. And, at full-time, he admitted that the chances of him staying at the Johan Cruyff Arena beyond the current campaign are looking smaller and smaller.
“I’m a club boy. But the longer it takes, the less likely I’ll sign a new contract,” Rensch said.
Liverpool are also in the market for a left-back.
TBR understands that Liverpool are watching Matteo Ruggeri of Atalanta, alongside Manchester City. With Andy Robertson no longer the same irrepressible force of old, Liverpool could offer Kostas Tsimikas to Fulham as part of a deal for Antonee Robinson.
Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez are under consideration too.
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