James McConnell loan fee paid by Ajax emerges
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Image Credits: Imago ImagesLiverpool midfielder James McConnell is set to join Ajax on loan for the 2025-26 season after signing a new five-year contract with the club.
The 20-year-old will undergo a medical before moving to the Eredivisie side following an agreement between the clubs.
Ajax won the race for McConnell amid interest from other European clubs and Championship sides.
Key factors in their success included head coach John Heitinga’s familiarity with the player from his time at Liverpool, the need for a No.6, and the opportunity to offer European football this season.
Championship clubs West Bromwich Albion, Hull City, and Oxford United, as well as Austrian side Sturm Graz, had also shown interest.
McConnell impressed on his Champions League debut against PSV Eindhoven in January.
He has made 13 senior appearances for Liverpool across all competitions.
Ajax have already signed one Liverpool player on loan this season, with goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros having made three appearances in the Netherlands.
McConnell, who progressed through Liverpool’s Academy after joining from Sunderland at under-15 level, has recorded four starts and nine substitute appearances for the Reds.
His most notable appearance came off the bench in the 2024 Carabao Cup final, where he played a key role in Liverpool’s victory over Chelsea.
The England youth international is set to become the seventh Liverpool player to go out on loan this summer, following the temporary departures of Luca Stephenson, Owen Beck, Harvey Davies, Isaac Mabaya, and Lewis Koumas.
According to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, the Merseyside club are set to receive €1.5m (£1.2m) from the loan, covering both a fee and part of McConnell’s wages during his season in the Netherlands.
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