Everton have long been linked with a move for Ajax winger David Neres, but a move for the Brazilian would pip the club against some of Europe’s biggest teams, and we would have to meet his Eredivisie side’s lofty valuation.
It’s thought Ajax could now hold out for as much as €90million (£80.4m), after upping their former valuation of €50million (£44.7m) following the 22-year-old’s stunning season in the Dutch domestic competitions and helping Erik ten Hag’s side reach the Semi-Finals of last term’s Champions League.
That price would all but guarantee our efforts have reached their end, despite reports of Marcel Brands holding advanced negotiations with the Amsterdam outfit, as potential transfer rivals Paris Saint-Germain are struggling to raise the funds needed to launch their own move with no suitors coming forward for Angel Di Maria.
Ajax even allegedly plan to offer Neres a new contract at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, which would present the Sao Paolo-born attacker vastly improved terms. However, it would be a surprise if they were to demand €90m for the Brazilian, given Juventus are reportedly in talks to sign Matthijs de Ligt for €70million (£62.6m), and they sold Frenkie de Jong to Barcelona for €75million (£67.1m) plus €11m (£9.8m) in add-ons.
But some Everton fans are slightly optimistic that Neres could be on the move, as Ajax have just completed their first major signing of the summer in landing Quincy Promes, who arrives in Amsterdam from Sevilla having put pen to paper on a five-year contract.
According to the Daily Mail, the 27-year-old’s move from Spain back to his former academy side has set Ajax back an initial £14million, which The Star claim could rise to €17.2million (£15.3m). That is just a drop in the ocean of the estimated €90million they are thought to have earned from reaching the Champions League Semi-Finals, though.
The number of Blues supporters optimistic in Promes’ return to Ajax and the potential knock-on effects it could have for Neres’ future are slim, however…
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