Hiroki Ito to Ajax
Quiet since 1 September 2026. Last report: Florian Plettenberg. Probability when it went quiet: 5%.
Earlier read, written at an earlier stage of this story: Right now this is barely a story with a pulse. Ajax are being linked with Hiroki Ito, the 27-year-old Japan defender under contract at Bayern Munich until June 2028, and the numbers being floated sit somewhere between €19m and €26m. That is a chunky outlay for a player Bayern rate highly, and there is no sign the German champions are pushing him towards the exit. The live reality is closer to a firm brake than a green light. The sourcing here is thin, and pointed in the opposite direction. Florian Plettenberg has effectively poured cold water on the whole thing, saying Ito "is not expected to join Ajax unless something extraordinary happens." That is one reporter, and his message is a warning rather than an encouragement. So the chance is slim. This is a long shot, and it stays that way unless Bayern change their stance and Ito himself decides a move to the Eredivisie suits him. Nothing in the current picture suggests either is close. The fee gap and Bayern's reluctance are the obvious brakes. Ajax do spend at this level, though. They paid €23m to bring a player in from Rangers, another €23m from West Ham back in 2021, and €21m for a signing from Dinamo Zagreb. Ito's own €24m move from Stuttgart to Bayern in 2024 shows the market can bear these figures. The money is not the barrier here. The willingness is. Watch for any softening from Bayern, or a firm Ajax bid landing. Without one of those, this does not move.
Who reported it
- Florian Plettenberg, 1 September 2026: 🚨❌ Hiroki Ito is not expected to join Ajax unless something extraordinary happens.
- Hiroki Ito: where next, every reported destination
- Ajax: transfers, targets and squad value
- FC Bayern München: transfers, targets and squad value
- Eredivisie: clubs, transfers and live rumours
- Every live transfer rumour, scored