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Ajax set for shock swoop after 'reaching agreement' for Al Hilal's Marcos Leonardo

Updated
Al Hilal's Marcos Leonardo
Al Hilal's Marcos Leonardo Photo by ABDULLAH AHMED / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Ajax are set to complete the surprise transfer of Al Hilal striker Marcos Leonardo after a full agreement was reportedly reached on Sunday.

Marcos Leonardo, 23, is set to join Ajax on a five-year contract, which the two parties agreed on earlier on Sunday.

After Dutch media, including De Telegraaf, broke the news of the personal agreement early in the afternoon, Fabrizio Romano reported in the early evening that Ajax and Al Hilal had reached an agreement on the transfer of the Brazilian striker, who'll cost Ajax a base fee of €17.5 million, which could rise to €19 million through bonuses.

Marcos Leonardo will undergo his medical on Monday, according to De Telegraaf.

Marcos Leonardo's career stats
Marcos Leonardo's career statsFlashscore

Marcos Leonardo joined Saudi Professional League side Al Hilal in 2024 and has scored 48 goals in 82 appearances for the club, but is reportedly looking to return to Europe. 

Al Hilal are reportedly allowing Marcos Leonardo to leave, with Karim Benzema and Darwin Nunez also in the squad. Nunez did not feature for the country's most successful club over the last six months after being omitted from Al Hilal's league squad due to foreign player limits.

The 23-year-old Brazilian, who's also gathered interest from the likes of Porto and Fiorentina, joined Al Hilal from Benfica for €40 million in 2023, just nine months after moving from Santos to Benfica for €22 million.

Rebuild mode

Ajax, who are undergoing a rebuild under Jordi Cruyff, are also working on the transfer of Morocco standout Azzedine Ounahi, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Amsterdam club, who acquired Caio Henrique from Monaco and Daley Blind on a free transfer earlier in July, gained funds and salary room after selling Sean Steur to Newcastle United for €27 million and Chuba Akpom to Ipswich Town for close to €10 million, while Branco van den Boomen and Wout Weghorst left on free transfers.

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