Men at Ajax hush critics as Steur’s De Toekomst exit brings £24m

Ajax’s sale of 18‑year‑old midfielder Sean Steur to Newcastle United was confirmed on Thursday, prompting columnist Henk Spaan to lambast the move in Het Parool. Spaan notes the club will collect roughly €24 million plus potential bonuses despite Steur having a year left on his contract.

The transfer of the young midfielder to Newcastle United was officially announced on Thursday, ending his spell with the Dutch side. Spaan, writing for Het Parool, offers few kind words about Steur or his father, whom he claims played a large role in the deal.

"Ik ben gedwongen een paar woorden te wijden aan het 'enorme talent' Steur", Spaan writes, adding that Steur’s father “raakte niet uitgesproken over de aanleg van zijn zoon”. He continues, "Zo luidkeels riep hij, dat men op De Toekomst de oren dichtdeed als de man van verre zichtbaar werd". The column even includes the token Steur' as a stylistic marker.

Spaan critiques the former Ajacied’s on‑field contributions, noting the laconically‑styled midfielder logged forty games for Jong Ajax with one goal and four assists, and twenty Eredivisie appearances with one goal and one assist. He remarks that Steur often turned his back to the wall and rarely delivered deep passes.

Ajax will receive about €24 million from the transfer, with the possibility of an additional €3 million in bonuses. The club sees this influx as a chance to re‑enter the market promptly.

With the profit secured, Ajax can immediately pursue new signings, though the departure of a promising youngster may leave a gap in their midfield depth. The financial boost, however, offers flexibility for future recruitment.