Former Eredivisie top scorer was tipped to Farioli on multiple occasions: “I thought he was a good striker for Ajax” | OneFootball

Wim Kieft and René van der Gijp find it strange that Ajax never made an attempt at signing Vangelis Pavlidis when he was at AZ Alkmaar. The duo discussed the 26-year-old Greek sharp-shooter in the KieftJansenEgmondGijp podcast.

Van der Gijp and Kieft think that the Amsterdammers arrived far too late to the party. “I thought Pavlidis was a striker for Ajax. Good technique, scored a lot of goals. He now plays for Benfica of course”, said Van der Gijp about the forward who previously played for AZ and Willem II.

Table companion, and former Ajax striker Kieft, agreed. “Yes, yes, definitely. I just think they don’t stand a chance now.”

Pavlidis has been regularly linked to a transfer to Ajax in the past two years. Former coach Maurice Steijn, for example, said that he had suggested the Greek as a competitor for Brian Brobbey.

Marco van Basten was another who regularly said that Pavlidis should have made the switch to Johan Cruyff Arena. ESPN analysts Karim El Ahmadi and Mario Been also spoke out about the transfer of the former Eredivisie top scorer to Ajax.

At the AFAS Stadion, Pavlidis bagged 57 goals in 92 league games, and won the Eredivisie top scorer award in 2023–24. Currently, he has 20 goals in 43 matches in all competitions for Benfica and his transfer value now seemingly sees him slip out of Eredivisie price range. Benfica would likely push bids above his €23m valuation – especially considering his seven goals in 12 Champions League games.

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield