Soccer Transfer News: Ajax Chief Welcomes Manchester United, Barcelona Transfer Moves

Edwin van der Sar admitted during a recent interview that he is honored when European giants like Barcelona and Manchester United approach Ajax to try and buy their top players. The former United goalkeeper is currently the chief executive of the Dutch giants and has seen a number of players leave for pastures new in recent years.

The Ajax Academy has a famed history of developing some of Europe’s top stars and their players are always on the radar of other top clubs. Their most recent export was Donny van de Beek, who joined the Red Devils in a $53.5 million deal in the summer.

“We know the ambition of the players and if our players are not good enough to be scouted by the top clubs, then we are doing something wrong. If Chelsea hadn't scouted Hakim Ziyech, we'd have done something wrong,” Ajax CEO Van der Sar said, speaking to The Athletic.

Apart from Van de Beek, Ziyech also departed for Chelsea in a $50 million deal that was pre-agreed last February. Last year, the Eredivisie outfit saw Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt depart for Barcelona and Juventus respectively, in similar big-money moves after impressing in the Champions League.

“It sounds strange but we are almost honored if Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United are coming for our players. Of course, I'd rather keep them but, having been a player myself, if you give us great service, league titles and commitment, then we think with you and set you along for the next part of your career.

“But we hope that you come back to Ajax and play for another one or two years, come onto our coaching staff or be like myself and Marc [Overmars - the club's football director],” Van der Sar added.

Ajax are currently at the top of the Eredivisie, but their Champions League campaign came to an early end this season after their final group game loss to Atlanta. They have dropped down to the Europa League UEFA’s second-tier club competition, but the Dutch outfit’s players continue to be in demand with more than one player currently linked with a move away to other top clubs in England and Spain.