Ajax have rebuilt their defence this summer as Jordi Cruijff looks to provide Michel Sanchez with a team that can win the Eredivisie this season.

Caio Henrique was signed early on in the window as Ajax looked to strengthen the left-back position. Ajax then also signed Jofre Torrents from Barcelona on an initial free transfer. Following the arrival of two left-backs, Ajax have been open to selling Owen Wijndal, but nothing concrete around a potential transfer for the Dutch left-back has developed.

Ajax have also let go of several centre-backs. Josip Sutalo has moved to Lazio on loan, with the Serie A giants having the option to sign him permanently next summer. Ko Itakura has returned to Borussia Mönchengladbach after a difficult year at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Ahmetcan Kaplan has also moved to NEC Nijmegen permanently after a successful loan spell last season at the Goffertstadion.

Youri Baas has also been linked with a move away. Porto made an offer which Ajax rejected. Eintracht Frankfurt have also shown interest.

Despite three departures in central defence, Ajax have only signed Daley Blind in that position, although Dies Janse returned from a loan spell at FC Groningen. Ajax have been looking for a new right-footed centre-back, and reportedly made an offer for Enzo Boyomo, which was rejected by Osasuna.

Having failed with an offer to sign Boyomo on loan, Ajax are now closing in on the signing of Thilo Kehrer from AS Monaco.

According to De Telegraaf, AS Monaco has given Thilo Kehrer permission to travel to Amsterdam for a medical with Ajax. Talks are centred around a loan move.

Both clubs reached a broad agreement over the transfer of the German defender. The clubs are currently discussing the final details and want to finalise the paperwork as soon as possible. 

Kehrer has played almost 100 games for Monaco since joining the club in January 2024 from West Ham United. He has also played 128 times for Paris Saint-Germain and made his debut in professional football for Schalke. 

He is a centre-back who is very dominant in duels, both on the ground and in the air. He won 63.7% of his duels in Ligue 1 last season, and over 60% of his aerial duels. That is especially impressive when you take into account how physical Ligue 1 is. In the Eredivisie, those numbers will likely only improve.

Kehrer is another very strong addition to Ajax's squad, and his experience and quality will be crucial in helping the Amsterdammers challenge for the Eredivisie title.