AJAX are facing a mass summer exodus after Hakim Ziyech’s move to Chelsea, according to reports.
The Dutch champs could see up to EIGHT big stars – including Donny van de Beek and ex-Manchester United man Daley Blind – depart.
Only a year ago, the Eredivisie big guns were just seconds away from reaching the Champions League final having pulled off a monumental giant killing of Real Madrid in the earlier rounds.
But Lucas Moura struck at the death in the semi-final second-leg to send Tottenham through in their place.
As well as their European success, Ajax also claimed last season’s domestic title and big wigs were forced to sell Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt last summer as a result.
But after some gentle persuasion they managed to hold onto the rest of their conquering stars.
Manager Erik ten Hag, director of football Marc Overmars and chief exec Edwin van der Sar convinced the squad to stay to have a crack at the big time again.
But having crashed out of the Champions League group stage in December – under controversial circumstances – some players’ desire for bigger things will see them flock for the exit in the summer, according to the Athletic.
Blind and Van De Beek both have contracts that expire in 2022 but Ajax are expected to cash in on the stars before to stop them leaving for nothing.
Van de Beek has been linked with both Man Utd and Real Madrid in the past.
The other six expected to leave the Amsterdam giants are keeper Andre Onana, left-back Nicolas Tagliafico, midfielder David Neres, centre-back Joel Veltman and right-backs Noussair Mazraoui and Sergino Dest.
After Ziyech’s signing was confirmed, Frank Lampard insisted the Moroccan international will be the key to unlocking opposition defences for Chelsea.
