Ajax eye €19 million strike as Verweij confirms Brazilian target

Ajax are on the verge of finalising a €19 million transfer for Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo, with Ajax‑watcher Mike Verweij confirming the deal will be official within days. The fee represents the maximum amount the Dutch club has agreed to pay for the forward. Marcos Leonardo is currently in Brazil to secure his residence permit, a step required before he can join the Amsterdam side. Ajax have arranged for the club’s officials to obtain the necessary documentation while the player finalises his paperwork. To fund the €19 million outlay, Ajax plan to advance future sale proceeds from Lisandro Martínez and Edson Álvarez. By pulling forward the expected income from those players, the club can cover the immediate cost without breaching its budget. During the Kick‑off podcast of De, Verweij stated, “Marcos Leonardo really is coming,” adding that the transfer will not wait much longer. He explained that the striker’s presence in Brazil and the pending residence stamp are already accounted for by the club.

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Verweij was explicit about the price tag, saying, “The maximum they will pay is nineteen million euros.” This figure caps the agreed transfer sum for the Brazilian attacker. He noted that clubs often spread payments over multiple periods, but accelerating those instalments allows Ajax to spend the money now rather than later. This financial structuring gives the Dutch side immediate purchasing power. According to Verweij, Ajax are committing all resources to build a strong squad for the 2026/2027 season. He warned that the risk of a coach or technical director departing makes it essential to assemble a quality team without delay. The practice of front‑loading future sale revenues reflects a broader market trend, where clubs bring expected income forward to secure immediate transfers and stay competitive during the transfer window.