The Danish hitman has been deemed surplus to requirements by the struggling Eredivisie giants after just one season
Ex-Celtic target Kasper Dolberg is set to leave Ajax(Image: ANP/Shutterstock)
Kasper Dolberg has been told he’s surplus to requirements at Ajax – less than a year after rejecting an £8million move to Celtic.
The Danish hitman was identified as a top target by Brendan Rodgers late in the summer window after Adam Idah was allowed to leave for Swansea City. Celts were ready to sanction a money-spinning deadline swoop to land the hitman from Anderlecht.
But the 28-year-old’s head was turned when former club Ajax came to the table at the 11th hour, luring him back to Amsterdam.
It was a bitter blow for the Hoops, who were left scrambling around the free agent market before eventually signing Kelechi Iheanacho days after the window closed.
But the move to Ajax has backfired for Dolberg, with technical director Jordi Cruijff telling the Denmark international to find another club.
Dolberg has just five goals in 24 appearances for Ajax this season – including two in the Champions League against Qarabag and Olympiacos.
However, he’s started just 12 times and has spent most of the campaign playing second fiddle to Dutch veteran Wout Weghorst.
Now, Dolberg could be available for a cut-price fee this summer as struggling Ajax look to cut their losses on the big-money forward.
It remains to be seen whether Celtic will reignite their interest in the frontman, who was a prolific goalscorer in Belgium with Anderlecht.
Dolberg could even stay in the Netherlands, with ex-Celts hero Pierre Van Hooijdonk tipping him to join Eredivisie rivals Feyenoord.
The Rotterdam club are likely to cash in on 26-goal Japanese sensation Ayase Ueda this summer and pundit Van Hooijdonk reckons Dolberg would be the perfect replacement.
Speaking as Ajax led NAC 2-0 on Saturday, he said: “Yes, I think Dolberg is a very good striker. I read that Jordi Cruijff supposedly said Dolberg is free to leave. That does seem to be the case when you look at the coach’s actions.
“Because if you don’t field him in this match either, when are you going to use him?
“I don’t believe that has gone away. He is a striker who actually fit the Ajax principles quite well. Very technically skilled, ingenious in his finishing.”
Despite being under contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena until 2029, Van Hooijdonk added: “He was signed for ten million euros; they won’t get that back for him.”