Former Gunner Takehiro Tomiyasu only has a small possibility to remain with Ajax this season, despite making a positive impact in his limited minutes for the club so far.
Amid news of a minor injury setback for Takehiro Tomiyasu this week, the Dutch media have suggested he’s unlikely to extend his Ajax contract beyond the end of this season.
Johan Inan reports for AD.nl that sources close to the player believe the odds of Tomiyasu sticking around for next season are small, though not entirely impossible.
The suggestion is that Tomiyasu’s December move to Ajax was a case of the stars aligning. The defender needed minutes ahead of the World Cup, Arsenal had been willing to let him go last summer, and Ajax were there ready to capitalise.
But if Tomiyasu does end up playing at the World Cup this summer and Ajax haven’t already tied him down, Inan believes the club will have no chance.
There will be other suitors, and if he’s proved his fitness he’ll no longer be motivated exclusively by getting minutes. His salary expectations would also likely be higher than the modest amount he was willing to accept from Ajax on a short-term basis in December.
There’s no suggestion that Tomiyasu hasn’t impressed at Ajax so far. The AD.nl report raves about the ability the defender has shown in his two starts so far, as well as his positive mentality and his willingness to pass on his experience to younger teammates.
Ajax are yet to concede a goal with Tomiyasu on the pitch, with their possession and pass accuracy dropping when he’s not involved.
Ajax technical director Jordi Cruyff is reportedly well aware of the player’s positive impact, and there’s no question he’s keen to keep the Japan international around. It’s just not expected to be an easy deal to do.
It’s good to hear that Tomiyasu is doing well when he makes it onto the pitch, though concerns remain around his fitness following that recent withdrawal from the March international break.
His two Ajax starts came directly before the break, so he had been building some momentum.
From Tomiyasu’s perspective, the hope now will be that he can make a really strong finish to the season with Ajax, impress at the World Cup with Japan, then secure a longer-term deal with a top club. Whether that’s Ajax or not.