Ajax close to signing Caio Henrique for €10m

Ajax are on the verge of completing the signing of 28‑year‑old Brazilian left‑back Caio Henrique, with a transfer fee reported around €10 million from AS Monaco, with the Dutch club hoping to add the player to their back line this summer.

Ajax were first linked with Caio Henrique last week, with technical director Jordi Cruijff leading the pursuit of the 28‑year‑old left‑back. A preliminary agreement with AS Monaco set the transfer fee at roughly €10 million.

Negotiations stalled over personal terms because Henrique earns about €3.5 million net per year at Monaco, a figure boosted by the principality’s tax advantages. Ajax indicated that matching that salary would be financially challenging.

Both clubs now expect to reconvene quickly, aided by Henrique’s willingness to compromise on his wage demands. “Alle betrokken partijen benadrukken dat er nog geen witte rook is en het nog even kan duren voordat echt alles is afgerond, maar Ajax heeft wel goede hoop de deal af te kunnen ronden”, writes .

Henrique spent the past six seasons at AS Monaco after the club signed him from Atlético Madrid. He recorded 41 assists in 211 appearances, earning a reputation for his passing technique.

A torn cruciate ligament sidelined him for most of the 2023/24 season, limiting his role in the Monaco lineup. The setback prompted the Brazilian to seek a fresh start at Ajax.

At the Johan Cruijff Arena Henrique is slated to become the new left‑back, a position recently covered by fellow Dutchman Lucas Rosa, who also adapts to the right flank. The departures of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko, together with Owen Wijndal’s settled role, open space for Henrique.

Ajax remain optimistic that the deal can be concluded in the coming weeks, pending final medical and contractual checks. The club hopes Henrique will reinforce the back line for the upcoming season.