There’s a week remaining in the MLS secondary transfer window, and Atlanta United doesn’t have much longer if they’re to fill their vacant DP slot.
And Atlanta, from the sounds of it, had zeroed in on a potential attacker that would make sense at first glance: Ajax captain and Dutch international Steven Bergwijn. But Ajax rejected a €15 million (US$16.3M) bid from Atlanta for his services, according to journalist Mike Verweij.
And Atlanta aren’t the only club looking to bring Bergwijn on board: Leicester City are reportedly keen to bid “more than €20 million”, but Ajax are looking for more, per Verweij.
In 2023-24, Bergwijn scored 13 goals and five assists in 31 matches across all competitions. That included 12 goals and four assists in 24 league matches during a highly disappointing 2023-24 campaign for Ajax, who finished 5th in the Eredivisie and failed to advance out of the Europa League group stage. In 2022-23, he scored 12 goals and five assists in league contests as Ajax finished third, while adding two goals in the UEFA Champions League group stage. He also has eight goals and three assists in 35 appearances with the Dutch national team.
The fact that Atlanta are reportedly looking for DP options on the left wing is notable, but probably not surprising: Xande Silva performed well for Atlanta last year when brought in on loan from Dijon, but has seen his form decline in 2024 after being purchased outright. It’s also a sign that Atlanta may trust their existing striker duo of Daniel Rios and Jamal Thiaré enough to look to improve the team elsewhere. Rios, for one, has surpassed expectations since being brought in on loan from Chivas, and it will be interesting to see how he combines with Alexey Miranchuk upon the latter’s arrival to Atlanta. It wouldn’t hurt his cause to have Bergwijn on the left, either, especially with Bergwijn’s nose for goal.
It’s an interesting prospect given that Bergwijn fits the player profile that Garth Lagerwey and his front office are looking to sign. That said, unless Ajax is willing to move down from its asking price of over €20 million, it appears this isn’t in the cards for Atlanta.
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Bergwijn Should be thanking his lucky stars that Ajax wouldn’t sell him. If I was a halfway decent player I wouldn’t touch Atlutd with a 10’ pole.
So he’d feel at home. Ajax is having a nightmare spell the last couple of years.
Also I wouldn’t assume Bergwijn would remain at winger in MLS. Josef was a winger in Italy.
Eh I think that had more to do with Josef being miscast in Italy. Bergwijn could fill in as a false 9 type of forward from time to time, but he’s not an out and out target striker like Josef.
To your point though, he could play anywhere from the wing to forward to the 10 in a pinch.
Agreed, he’s a cut inside and shoot with your stronger foot winger that the Dutch constantly churn out.
They rejected our $15m offer. They apparently rejected $20m from Leicester. Not sure of that was in the article.
Possible rumors of a Cypriot striker as well. Ioannis Pittas. Might be us. Might be another club.
He used to be more solid but could still work well in MLS. Paulinho from Atletico MG would probably be an even better fit, possibly Ruben Vargas from Augsburg.
LW is definitely a place I am hoping for an upgrade. Silva is okay, but too inconsistent and not quite a real difference maker at his best. I’d be fine bringing in a DP LW this season, especially of Bergwijn’s caliber and age, and rolling with Thiare and Rios up top the rest of the year. This season isn’t going to net anything special at this point and those guys are decent enough and probably can perform even better with help at CAM and LW. Then the FO can buy down Gregerson for 2025 and get a DP ST, I think.
I recognize the name from his days with Tottenham, so I like the heights that Atlanta are setting their sights on, at least.
don’t know if he is any good, but if we get in a bidding war with a premier league team, I don’t think we are winning.