u/dmvenger

Leeds is al een tijdje bezig met Brandt, ik verwacht er daarom weinig van. Wat ik lees van de Dortmund fans is dat hij ook echt zijn beste tijd heeft gehad. Als we dan toch een AM halen, zou ik liever Ounahi zien komen, maar mogelijk is dat geen optie meer door de interesse uit Saudi Arabia.

Leeds has been working on Brandt for a while now, so I'm not expecting much. From what I've read by Dortmund fans he's also lost a step. If we're going to spend on a new AM I would prefer Ounahi to be honest. But that might not be an option with the interest from Saudi.

We can't really know who Cruyff and co are looking for in the 6 position, but who would you prefer?

Here are some profiles I think might be interesting.

1. Lucas Gourna-Douath (RB Salzburg)

• Age: 22
• Club: RB Salzburg
• Estimated fee: €15–18m

One of the closest stylistic matches to Edson Álvarez while being considerably better on the ball.

• Strengths:
• elite defensive coverage
• wins second balls
• progressive passing
• excellent physically

2. Noah Mbamba-Muanda (Bayer Leverkusen) The problem is he has a contract until 2028. The current value is relatively low, though.

Pros:

• massive upside
• versatile
• technically secure
• homegrown Belgian football education

Cons:

• not yet the midfield conductor Ajax may need.

I'd sign him if Ajax also had another experienced midfielder alongside him.

3. Yassine Titraoui (Charleroi)

• Age: 22
• Current club: Charleroi
• Market value: ~€7m

One of the more underrated names.

Very good:

• first touch
• scanning
• passing
• defensive work rate

He isn't as physically dominant as Onyedika, but he fits Ajax's style of play very well.

4. Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
   My personal favorite, but probably unrealistic given his current valuation of 23 million.
   He's in the last year of his contract, though.

• Age: 25
• Current club: Club Brugge
• Market value: ~€23m
• Contract: until 2027

Why?

• Outstanding ball recoveries.
• Progressive passer.
• Eredivisie/JPL experience means minimal adaptation.
• Excellent defensively in transition.
• Physically dominant.
• Comfortable receiving under pressure.

He's essentially the modern version of Edson Álvarez, but a cleaner passer.