Juventus return in January
“I am very curious. We offer him this chance and we will help him,” said Ajax Amsterdam’s then sporting director Marc Overmars when Mohamed Ihattaren was loaned from Juventus in January 2022. The 20-year-old offensive player was obviously unable to take advantage of the opportunity. In winter, the paths will separate again. The former junior international played four minutes in the professional team.
Ajax have informed Ihattaren and Juventus that the agreed purchase option will not be exercised, the capital club announced on Monday. They also do not want to extend a loan. At the beginning of January, the former Oranje youth international will officially return to Italy, where Ihattaren has never played a competitive game in his once promising career.
Updated at 9:45 p.m: Former Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder commented on Ihattaren’s situation on a TV program tonight, saying “Hopefully he wakes up” (quoted via “VI“). According to the former football icon, a return to Juventus is not an option either. Sneijder said: “I also understand that he is not completely fit. Well, they don’t take the time for that in Italy. I have already offered to work with him (…) He can call me. I hope he will realize that it has to be now.”
Juventus bought the Utrecht-born Ihattaren from PSV Eindhoven in 2021 and loaned him straight away to Sampdoria and six months later to Ajax, who only had significant playing time in the second team (four goals in five games). According to Ajax, the young professional has been training on a personal fitness plan for some time.
Ajax has notified Mohamed Ihattaren and Juventus FC that the option to purchase will not be exercised. Ihattaren’s loan will run out on January 3, 2023 and not be extended.
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) October 31, 2022
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