Ajax want to strengthen their defence before the transfer window closes next week.

With Ko Itakura, Ahmetcan Kaplan and Josip Sutalo all having departed in recent weeks, there is now space in the squad to sign a new centre-back.

Ajax are targeting a move for a right-footed centre-back. Aaron Bouwman is the only player of that profile Ajax have, as Daley Blind, Dies Janse and Youri Baas are all left-footed.

Bouwman clearly has a lot of talent and could become a prominent figure in Ajax's defence over the next few years, but it is clear he still has flaws in his game and probably is not yet ready to start every game for a team that wants to win the Eredivisie title.

Despite Itakura, Kaplan and Sutalo all having departed, Ajax could potentially sell another centre-back, with the club reportedly open to parting ways with Baas.

According to Voetbal International, Baas could still leave Ajax before the transfer window closes, as Ajax sees Dies Janse as a player with more long-term potential than Baas.

Janse, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at FC Groningen last season, has been linked to several clubs in recent months, including Club Brugge, but Ajax are adamant that they do not want to let him go.

Should Baas indeed leave Ajax before the window closes, his next destination could be the Bundesliga.

According to Christopher Michel, Eintract Frankfurt holds an interest in Baas. It is currently unclear how concrete negotiations are, but Frankfurt's top priority is to strengthen its defence, and Baas is on their shortlist.

While Baas is obviously a very good player, selling him now would make quite a lot of sense from Ajax's perspective.

In Blind and Janse, Ajax already has two quality left-footed centre-back options. On the right, Ajax only have Bouwman. Selling Baas and signing an experienced right-footed centre-back would provide Michel Sanchez with a nice balance in central defence.

Ajax also need to sign a quality left winger and a new defensive midfielder. Baas would likely command a significant transfer fee, which Ajax could then use to strengthen other areas of the squad.

Ajax want Noa Lang, but he is currently too expensive for Ajax. It is also unclear whether Ajax will make a late move for Azzedine Ounahi. Ajax's interest seemed to have cooled after holding talks earlier this summer to sign the Moroccan midfielder, but Voetbal International reports that there are other clubs interested who can offer more than Ajax.

The sale of Baas could potentially provide Ajax with the budget to move for either Lang or Ounahi, who would both significantly improve Ajax's current squad as they look to challenge for the title this season.