Three players Ajax could lose if they fail to qualify for Champions League football | OneFootball

After winning three consecutive Eredivisie titles, record-time Dutch champions Ajax are on the verge of missing out on Champions League qualification for the first time in 14 years.

The last time the Lancers finished outside the top two was in 2008/09 under Marco van Basten, but after Sunday’s loss in Eindhoven, they could replicate that unwanted feat.

John Heitinga’s side slumped to a woeful 3-0 defeat at arch-rivals PSV Eindhoven, falling three points behind the Peasants in the standings with four games left.

Not only are Ajax set to surrender the Eredivisie title to Feyenoord, but they could also fail to land Champions League football after being thumped in a top-two six-pointer at Philips Stadium.

That could have grave repercussions for the club going into the summer transfer window, with some of their prized assets courted by the continental elite.

Without the incentive of playing in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, Ajax could lose three headline performers at the end of the season.

Jurrien Timber

When Erik ten Hag left Amsterdam to take charge of Manchester United last summer, Jurrien Timber emerged as a potential transfer target for the Red Devils.

Although the Dutchman eventually ended up bringing Lisandro Martinez with him to Old Trafford, he could return for another of his former Ajax pupils this summer.

Ten Hag is keen to revamp his defensive options after Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire failed to impress, which could prompt Timber’s switch to the Premier League.

Edson Alvarez

Heavily linked with a move to the Premier League over the past couple of years, Edson Alvarez is another high-profile talent that could depart the Johan Cruyff Arena in the summer.

The versatile midfielder has drawn interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, among others, with top-four hopefuls Newcastle United joining the race recently.

Alvarez’s contract at Ajax runs out in 2025, and it’s understood that the club won’t ‘make it difficult for the Mexican to leave’ (via BeSoccer), especially if their top-two pursuit goes sideways.

Mohammed Kudus

As reported by The Athletic last month, Mohammed Kudus has become one of the hottest prospects in the market following his eye-catching exploits with Ajax and Ghana.

The up-and-coming forward enjoyed a decent 2022 World Cup with the Black Stars, but his impressive form in the Eredivisie has turned him into a sought-after property.

Kudus can play anywhere along the frontline, and at 22, he still has plenty of room for improvement, with the Lancers reportedly seeking around £40 million to sanction his move.