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Kaj Sierhuis will move to Stade Reims. Ajax and the French club had already reached an agreement but FC Groningen needed to approve as well since they’re loaning the 21-year-old striker at the moment. Reims will pay €4 million for the striker. He’ll sign a contract for 4.5 years in France.

The transfer of Kaj Sierhuis to Stade Reims was a difficult one. Sierhuis is under contract at Ajax but was loaned out to FC Groningen. The latter had an optional buy clause, but they could only activate that clause in the summer of 2020. This meant that neither Ajax nor FC Groningen could independently decide over the offer of Reims.

Ajax had to consult Groningen since they had the first chance to buy. Mark-Jan Fledderus, technical director of FC Groningen, wasn’t keen on letting Sierhuis go since they’ll need to attract a new striker before the windows close tomorrow (31st of January).

Fledderus wanted FC Groningen to be able to buy the player from Ajax for the agreed amount and resell him to Stade Reims. Ajax appeared to be willing to agree to this but wanted the transfer sum, bonus, and the new percentage of resale paid by the French to be distributed fairly. FC Groningen did not accept this.

Because Sierhuis himself indicated that he would like to leave for France, Fledderus was finally willing to think along. He gave Overmars permission to negotiate but wanted a guaranteed minimum deal. However, after Overmars reached an agreement, Fledderus tried to halt the deal once again, because he had no alternative striker. Thursday evening he finally agreed to the transfer. Sierhuis has been given permission to travel to France for the medical examination. He’ll, if everything is okay, sign a contract on Friday.

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