Wolverhampton Wanderers were able to overcome competition from Lyon and other clubs to sign Ajax’s Carlos Forbs on deadline day.
The winger joined the Premier League side on loan with an obligation to buy if certain set conditions are met. At the weekend, De Telegraaf reported Wolves have to make the deal permanent for €13.5m if he makes 10 starts this season.
It was also reported Lyon, Fulham and Everton showed keen interest in the 20-year-old at the end of the recently concluded window.
Former Brighton & Hove Albion and PSV Eindhoven defender Hans Kraay Jr. was a guest on Goedemorgen Eredivisie. He says the Ligue 1 side were willing to buy Forbs for €15m, and his comments are relayed by Ajax Fanatics.
Ajax paid €14m plus €5m as a potential bonus payment to buy Forbs from Manchester City in 2023. Sven Mislintat, who splits options, was then the director in Amsterdam, and Kraay Jr. is pleased that the Dutch club have got rid of the player now.
He was initially left surprised with Ajax’s decision not to sell the Portugal U21 international to Lyon. Kraay Jr, who now works as an analyst, was then made aware the Dutch club are still getting a good deal from his move to Wolves.
“He’s also just one of the very bad, too expensive Mislintat purchases. But Forbs is now going to Wolverhampton,” he said.
“It seemed Lyon wanted to pay €15m for him and at first, I didn’t understand why Ajax didn’t get rid of him. I heard from Mike Verweij that Ajax got a rental fee of €2.5m and the Wolves pay his salary of €1.5m.
“If Forbs starts 10 games, the club will have to transfer another €13.5m to Ajax. And he will manage that. So, then it is a good deal.”
