Johan Derksen has strongly criticised Ajax for selling Sean Steur to Newcastle United, claiming the Dutch club have allowed a future world-class player to leave too early.
Newcastle have agreed a deal for the highly rated midfielder that could eventually be worth around €27 million including bonuses.
Steur is expected to sign a five-year contract with the Premier League club, but Derksen believes Ajax should have made a much bigger effort to keep their academy star in Amsterdam.
Derksen calls Ajax decision to sell Steur ‘very stupid’
Speaking on Dutch television programme Vandaag Inside, Derksen made his feelings clear about the transfer.
“I think it’s really very stupid of Ajax to let Steur go.”
Derksen believes the teenager's value could have more than doubled if Ajax had convinced him to sign a new contract and remain at the club for several more years.
He went even further with his assessment of the midfielder’s potential.
“He really is a world-class player.”
According to Derksen, Ajax should have built their new team around Steur rather than accepting a major transfer fee now.
Ajax criticised for choosing short-term transfer money
Steur was under contract until 2028 but reportedly had no intention of signing an extension.
That left Ajax facing a difficult decision. Keeping the midfielder without a new agreement could eventually have weakened their negotiating position.
However, Derksen believes the Amsterdam club should have offered Steur an exceptional salary to convince him to stay.
He accused Ajax of choosing short-term financial gain over the possibility of building a successful team around their biggest academy talent.
Derksen also questioned whether experienced players could compensate for losing a youngster of Steur's potential.
Van der Gijp also questions Newcastle move
René van der Gijp also expressed doubts about the timing of Steur’s transfer.
He believes moving to a major Premier League club before becoming an established Netherlands international could make it more difficult for the youngster to immediately earn status inside the dressing room.
Steur now faces the challenge of proving himself at Newcastle after leaving Ajax at just 18.
The transfer represents a major financial deal for the Dutch club, but Derksen is convinced they will eventually regret selling one of their brightest talents so early.
Key Points
- Johan Derksen has strongly criticised Ajax for selling Sean Steur to Newcastle.
- The transfer could reportedly be worth up to €27m including bonuses.
- Derksen believes Steur has the potential to become a world-class player.
- Ajax have been accused of choosing short-term transfer money over the midfielder's future value.
- René van der Gijp also questioned whether the teenager is leaving Ajax too early.
What’s next?
Steur is now preparing to begin the biggest challenge of his young career in the Premier League.
Ajax have secured a major fee for a teenager who was unwilling to extend his contract, but Derksen believes the club should have done everything possible to keep him.
If Steur fulfils his potential at Newcastle, the decision to sell could face even greater scrutiny in Amsterdam.
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *