According to Dutch media, Ajax are finalising a deal for Red Bull Salzburg starlet Oscar Gloukh. The club will have to rush proceedings, however, as Serie A giants AS Roma are looking to hijack the transfer.
De Telegraaf reported on Sunday that Ajax and Red Bull Salzburg reached an agreement on a transfer fee of €15 million for the Israeli international. The fee could rise to €18 million through several bonuses.
However, De Telegraaf journalists Mike Verweij and Jeroen Kapteijns reported on Monday that Serie A giants AS Roma are looking to hijack the deal and made their interest in Gloukh known. The Giallarossi are reportedly preparing a bid, prompting Ajax to rush for the desired Gloukh deal.
The 21-year-old Gloukh, who's said to be in full agreement with Ajax over a five-year contract, is seen as Ajax's marquee signing of this transfer window. The Amsterdam club brought in Liverpool goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros on loan and Real Valladolid's Raul Moro on a €9.5 million deal earlier in the window, and would sign their desired creative midfielder in the form of Gloukh.
However, Algemeen Dagblad journalist Johan Inan reported on Sunday that sources within the Ajax ranks say no agreement has yet been reached. "A deal is being worked on and they are hopeful, but all the stories that it has already been finalised have been dismissed as nonsense," Inan said in the AD Voetbalpodcast.
In his last two seasons for Red Bull Salzburg, the emerging Gloukh scored 17 goals and provided 17 assists in 55 Bundesliga appearances. The attacking midfielder provided three assists in last season's Champions League and scored one goal in the recent FIFA Club World Cup.