Ajax have been unable to persuade Celta Vigo to let Guinea midfielder Ilaix Moriba leave, despite making a recent approach for the 23-year-old.
The Eredivisie club proposed a loan deal that would have included a compulsory purchase option, according to Spanish journalists Nacho Sanchis and Oscar Mendez. Ajax were also prepared to cover Moriba’s wages, but that package was not enough to convince Celta Vigo to sanction his departure.
Celta’s position has changed significantly since earlier this summer, when Moriba appeared likely to leave the Galician club. The Spanish side are now determined to retain the midfielder as they aim to make an impression in La Liga.
Celta Vigo have already blocked Nottingham Forest’s attempt to sign Javi Rueda, underlining their intention to hold on to key players and strengthen their position ahead of the new campaign.
Moriba has also attracted interest from Bayer Leverkusen. The Bundesliga club had hoped to include Robert Andrich as part of a possible deal for the Guinea international, who has won 25 caps for his country.
Ajax’s interest had emerged after the club was linked with Moriba, a former highly rated prospect at FC Barcelona. The Dutch side subsequently moved to test Celta Vigo’s resolve with a formal proposal, but the Spanish club did not consider the terms sufficient.
Moriba came through at Barcelona and was regarded as one of the club’s most promising young midfielders. With only one year remaining on his contract, he moved to RB Leipzig in 2021 for 16m euros.
His time in Germany did not develop as expected. Moriba was later sent on loan to Valencia, Getafe and Celta Vigo before making a permanent move to the Galician club a year ago for 6m euros.
The midfielder’s importance to Celta Vigo has grown as the club has reassessed its plans for the season. That renewed commitment now appears to have ended Ajax’s hopes of bringing him to the Netherlands.
Ajax manager Michel has not ruled out recruiting another midfielder. Speaking after the Eredivisie match against Telstar, he left open the possibility of further additions following the arrival of Sofyan Amrabat.
However, midfield is not the only area Ajax want to improve. The club are also seeking a left winger and, ideally, a central defender as they continue to shape their squad.
For now, Moriba remains part of Celta Vigo’s plans, with Ajax’s attempted loan arrangement failing to alter the Spanish club’s decision to keep the player.