Ajax 'seal deal' to bring Liverpool's transfer guru Julian Ward to Amsterdam

Ajax have reportedly sealed a deal to bring Julian Ward to the club as their new sporting director.

Ward, 41, has spent a decade at Liverpool in various roles, currently as sporting director having succeeded Michael Edwards in the role last summer.

However, in November, amid news that the club was being put up for sale, Ward announced he would be departing the club just months after assuming the sporting director role.

Reports began to emerge thereafter of interest from Ajax to bring him to Amsterdam, with Edwin van der Sar, the Dutch club's CEO, keen to find a long-term replacement for previous incumbent Marc Overmars.

It appears Van Der Sar has finally got his wish, with The Mirror reporting that Ward has sealed his deal to join the Dutch giants in the summer.

The publication report that Van Der Sar was instructed by the Ajax board to reopen negotiations with Ward following an initial approach which failed.

Owing to his time as a South America scout for Manchester City, Ward has strong connections to the continent and has led Liverpool's tapping into that market in recent years.

Colombian Luis Diaz joined last January from Porto, while Darwin Nunez, a Uruguayan, signed in the summer from Benfica.

Ajax themselves are often a hotbed of talent for South American stars, though much of the club's legacy and foundation is built upon their oft-thought unrivalled academy system which has produced a number of true greats of the game.

Assuming a new role with the Eredivisie club, it has been said that the role will be similar to that which he currently holds with the Premier League side.

Operating on a much lower financial footing to Liverpool, with the Dutch first division not nearly as attractive as the Premier League to most players, Ajax will be relying on Ward to ensure continued strong performance in the transfer market.

Ajax have endured a tumultuous last 12 months or so, with Erik ten Hag departing for Manchester United at the end of last season and his successor, Alfred Schreuder, losing his job earlier this year after a dire run.

They have recovered their position in the league and are very much in contention to retain their crown having reeled in rivals Feyenoord.

Ward's appointment is unusual in that he will become the first non-Dutchman to assume the role of sporting director at the club.