Ajax boss Francesco Farioli speaks out about Steven Bergwijn’s deadline day move to Al-Ittihad: ‘I wanted to keep all the players’

Ajax manager Francesco Farioli has finally had his say on Steven Bergwijn’s dramatic deadline day transfer to Saudi Arabia. With hours remaining in the Dutch window, Bergwijn completed a €21m move to Al-Ittihad, which was heavily criticised by the media and Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman. The winger’s ’book is probably closed with the national team,’ were the words of Koeman, but how does Farioli feel about his star player’s departure?

‘I’ve been trying to turn off my phone in recent days, but of course there were a few phone calls,’ Farioli told Ajax’s club channel. ‘I wanted to keep all the players at the club, because they’re all important to the process. On the other hand, we know the financial situation of the club and the need and desire to restore it. However, we have clearly lost two important players.’ Ajax also lost Carlos Forbs on transfer deadline day, as the Portuguese winger completed a loan move to Wolves.

The Eredivisie giants now have two first-team left-wingers remaining. Mika Godts (19) and Amourricho Van Axel-Dongen (19). Southampton talent Kamaldeen Sulemana was on the verge of joining on deadline day, but FIFA blocked the move as Ajax submitted documents late.

GBeNeFN | Jonas Fielding