Ajax fans are not happy with new transfer: 'A joke!'

Ahmetcan Kaplan's impending move to NEC is causing plenty of confusion among Ajax supporters, largely because of the €2.5 million fee. On Ajax Showtime, fans say the Amsterdam club are letting the defender go too cheaply, especially as he is joining an Eredivisie rival who, in their view, took a far harder line in previous talks with Ajax.

"€2.5 million is just a pittance, isn't it? Weak, Jordi (Cruijff, ed.)," writes one supporter. Another fan calls it "very poor" and says €2.5 million is "a joke", while someone else believes Ajax should have asked for at least double. "I really did think he was a good player for us. Of course, he has little prospect now, but Blind will only keep playing for one or two more years at most," it also reads.

For another section of supporters, the bigger issue is Kaplan joining NEC. "For €2.5 million you could have sold him to plenty of other clubs. After Sano, I would never have begrudged NEC this. They charge Ajax top dollar, but want to sit in the front row for a dime themselves," writes one fan. Another supporter is just as unhappy: "All well and good, but this is just giving them a helping hand. It doesn't happen the other way round."

Some have even described it as a "mates' rates" fee, a deal they feel mainly suits NEC and Kaplan. "A bit less so for Ajax. If we go for Nejasmic, it is at least ten million," someone writes. Another response reads: "NEC want to be in the front row for a dime everywhere, but all their own players have to be sold for top dollar." Several fans therefore hope Ajax can expect the same flexibility in future negotiations with NEC.

There is, however, some understanding for the decision to sell Kaplan now. One supporter accepts that €2.5 million is not the ideal fee, but points to the circumstances. "He is injured again, has an extensive injury record and only has ten months left on his contract. I don't think much more could have been got for him. On top of that, you free up room on the wage bill." According to De Telegraaf, Ajax will save €1.3 million in Kaplan's wages through the transfer.

That last point comes up strikingly often. "He never plays, has achieved nothing, is injured, earns €1.3 million in wages and only has one year left on his contract. This is a top deal," writes a fan.

Others argue the real problem is the fee Ajax paid for him in the first place and the salary he was handed. "The problem lies more in the fact that he was brought in at the time for a ridiculous price and was given an absurd salary. Just part ways and make room." Some supporters also suspect that Jordi Cruijff mainly wants to create room in the wage structure.