Ajax advised to target Aston Villa's Lamare Bogarde if Geertruida deal fails

Ajax has been advised to consider Aston Villa's Lamare Bogarde as a potential target if their pursuit of Lutsharel Geertruida falls through. Hedwiges Maduro suggested the Dutch club should look toward the 22-year-old if their current transfer efforts do not succeed.

Ajax is currently attempting to sign Geertruida, who recently returned to RB Leipzig following a loan period at Sunderland. While Geertruida was a frequent player for the Black Cats last season, the club decided not to make his move permanent. Leipzig is interested in selling the player, which has led to Ajax exploring a deal, though Leipzig's financial requirements are currently stalling progress.

Maduro believes Bogarde offers a similar profile to Geertruida and could serve as a viable replacement. Speaking on ESPN's Voetbalpraat, Maduro noted that the Aston Villa player is capable of playing both in midfield and at right-back. He suggested that Bogarde could become a significant figure at Ajax, noting that the youngster requires more consistent playing time.

Despite the suggestion, Bogarde has seen progress under Aston Villa manager Unai Emery. The Spanish coach has utilized the player in various competitions, including a starting role in the recent UEFA Super Cup match against Paris Saint-Germain. However, Maduro observed that the player is often a substitute and does not always feature in the starting eleven.

While there are questions regarding whether the player would desire a move away from Villa Park, Maduro maintains that Ajax could be an attractive destination for the player to further his development.