What changed
2026-07-26 10:10 UTC → 2026-07-26 19:36 UTC ·
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During In late July 2026 Belgian clubs were continued active in the summer market, with dealings, highlighted by Arsenal and Beşiktaş finalising completing a €20 million fee for purchase of Leandro Trossard and Anderlecht monitoring several potential arrivals, including a scouting free‑transfer move for options such as Romelu Lukaku and interest in while keeping tabs on Nathan Ngoumou, Charles De Ketelaere and 18‑year‑old youngster Jesse Bisiwu. Borussia Dortmund placed a Dortmund’s record bid for Genk’s youngster Genk prospect Kos Karetsas. In Karetsas also remained on the Netherlands, table. Ajax initially pursued striker Leonardo and later redirected its attention to Amsterdam’s focus sharpened further on the midfield reinforcement, identifying Croatian midfielder Toni Fruk and later targeting front. After formally offering free‑agent Julian Brandt a defensive "number six" contract, the club’s pursuit of Dani Ceballos collapsed when Real Madrid and a creative playmaker. By late July the club confirmed Spanish midfielder could not reach an agreement. Ajax retained interest in several midfield options while also noting Croatian midfielder Toni Fruk of HNK Rijeka, acknowledging competition for Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo from Premier League suitors, and winger Caio Henrique. On 25 July Ajax lodged a contract offer to free‑agent Julian Brandt, reiterated the 30‑year‑old German midfielder from Borussia Dortmund. Leeds United emerged as need for a rival, with Brandt reportedly preferring “number six’’ and a return creative playmaker to reinforce the Premier League. A separate negotiation for centre of the squad. The Dutch side’s goalkeeper hunt remained stalled, with Barcelona’s Marc‑André Ter Stegen with FC Barcelona stalled negotiations hitting impasses over salary terms, delaying that potential transfer. Ajax reiterated its goal of strengthening the midfield with a defensive midfielder and a creative playmaker ahead of the new season. Financial Fair‑Play constraints. Overall, both Belgian and Dutch clubs continued persisted in negotiating multiple high‑profile deals, moves, with Ajax’s strategy evolving Ajax shifting from general attacking signings a broad attacking‑signing strategy to a focused concentrated midfield‑building approach plan amid competition from clubs across Europe.