Fulham agree deal with Ajax to sign Calvin Bassey for £18.2m despite the defender wanting to stay and fight for his place
- Ajax manager Maurice Steijn told Bassey to leave as he wasn’t in his plans
- He also had interest from Brighton, who will instead sign Fiorentina’s Igor Julio
- Fulham have also stepped up their interest in signing Mohammed Salisu
Fulham have agreed a deal with Ajax to sign Calvin Bassey for £18.2m and are in talks to add Mohammed Salisu from Southampton.
Centre-back Bassey was willing to stay and fight for his place but Ajax have told the 23-year-old he does not figure in their plans.
Ajax manager Maurice Steijn said: ‘I told Calvin Bassey it would be better to leave Ajax. Also because of the money. When he leaves, we can strengthen the squad properly.
‘I have told him this honestly. He had a really tough year last season. Everyone gets a second chance and if he does better than someone else, he will play. But the chances are, especially if we are going to get a new left-back or left-centre defender, that he will not play.’
Bassey joined Ajax from Rangers last summer for around £20m but has failed to make an impact.
The Nigeria international also had interest from Brighton but they are now signing Igor Julio from Fiorentina. Fulham made a £15m bid for Bassey last week and have improved their offer to reach agreement with Ajax.
Fulham have also been talking to Southampton about a deal for Salisu after seemingly parking a move for Benfica’s Brazilian centre-back Morato.
