Ajax suddenly linked with Italy international

Ajax are weighing up a move for Rolando Mandragora, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported on his website on Monday. The 29-year-old Fiorentina midfielder has also attracted interest from Genoa.

Ajax technical director Jordi Cruijff has been looking for a number six for some time. Edson Álvarez, Dani Ceballos and Patrick Berg were all linked with the Amsterdam club, among others, but none of those moves came off.

Whether Ajax make an opening bid to Fiorentina, and when, remains unclear. Mandragora is under contract until mid-2028, while Torino and Bologna are also said to be tracking the midfielder.

Juventus signed Mandragora in 2016, then sent him out on loan several times before buying him back for €15 million in 2020. Fiorentina paid just over €8 million for the Italian in the summer of 2022.

Last season, the Ajax target made 34 Serie A appearances. Mandragora scored seven goals and provided three assists in that run. He won one cap for the Italy national team in 2018.

Transfermarkt values the 1.83-metre holding midfielder at €9 million. Now it comes down to whether Cruijff is prepared to pay that fee for the long-sought number six.